Our phones are powerful tools. With a swipe of a finger, we can access recipes, music, news, and endless inspiration. Yet how often do we find ourselves scrolling aimlessly, comparing our lives to others, or chasing after things that never truly satisfy? Advent invites us to pause and ask: what am I filling my mind and heart with?
The psalmist prayed, “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways” (Psalm 119:37). Social media and online consumerism often pull our eyes toward “worthless things”—fleeting images, endless advertisements, and the pressure to buy more. But Advent is a season of turning our gaze back to Christ, the One who gives life.
Instead of endless scrolling, imagine lighting a candle and opening your Bible to the nativity story. Picture yourself walking through your neighborhood, admiring Christmas lights while whispering prayers of thanksgiving, as Paul urges: “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Or perhaps take a few quiet minutes to journal, naming the blessings God has already given you this year.
Limiting phone usage isn’t about rejecting technology altogether—it’s about reclaiming attention. Advent teaches us to wait, to watch, to prepare. By stepping away from the noise of our screens, we make space to hear God’s voice and to welcome His peace into our lives.
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