Angela’s diaries. By Angela.
It’s November, the eleventh month of the year. Again, we have voted. Again, change is expected. Again, we offer praises like the psalmist “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, all that is in them; who keeps faith forever, who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry” (Psalm 146:5-7).
It's November. The new year is just around the corner. And I’ve already begun making plans for the first quarter. I’m not rushing into the new year; I’m slowly entering 2027 with blessings of 2026. I can’t simply sprint into another new year, without taking a moment to reflect on the past eleven months. Why wait for December 31, 2026, to write that reflection diary entry, which is my default. You know, when you sit down and review month by month from a stream of consciousness. When your truth streams onto the page uninterrupted by grammar rules and publication. When your heart spills forth like water and you slowly engage in remembrance without rushing to another something but allowing words, wounds, wonders and worship to fill your page and when you’re done, set them on God’s footstool. Thankful.
This type of sacred writing, slow and steady, in solitude and stillness, reminds me of Gwendolyn Brooks’ description of writing a poem. She advises: “In writing your poem tell the truth. Don’t try to sugar it up. Don’t force your poem to be nice or proper or normal or happy if it does not want to be. Remember that poetry is life distilled and that life is not always nice or proper or normal or happy or smooth or even-edged.”
In preparation for Advent, review and reflect on what God has done in the past eleven months. Photo from unsplash.
I hope that’s what pours forth on your diary pages as you journal your year in review reflection before Advent begins. Why? You and I can clear emotional, physical, social, and financial space to look back at our spiritual growth and close the year with intention. When we close the year with intention, we enter the holiday season with celebration and anticipation. We enter the new year with a calmed and quieted soul, like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me, composed and freed from discontent, safe and satisfied (Psalm 131:2).
Let’s review and reflect together, writing down great and awesome things God has done for us that our own eyes have seen. Even those things that looked out of sorts and chaotic and crazy. Here are 22 prompts for 22 days before Advent begins, November 29, 2026.
Week 1: Gathering the Inner Harvest
Day 1: Look back to January. What is one specific way God has tilled the soil of your heart or grown your faith this year?
Day 2: Reflect on a "hidden blessing"—something that felt like a disappointment or a closed door at first, but ultimately protected your peace.
Day 3: Read Galatians 5:22-23. Which Fruit of the Spirit was most visibly cultivated in your life over the last eleven months?
Day 4: Who are two people who served as the hands and feet of Jesus to you this year? Write a prayer of thanksgiving for them.
Day 5: What spiritual discipline or prayer habit brought you closest to God this year? How can you lean into it this month?
Day 6: Reflect on a moment of pure, unexpected joy from this past year. Where was God in that moment?
Week 2: Cleansing and Surrender
Day 7: What is a lingering resentment, guilt, or heavy burden from this year that you are still dragging around? Write it out and actively surrender it to God.
Day 8: Where have you prioritized busyness, human approval, or people-pleasing over quiet obedience this year?
Day 9: Think of your biggest trial this year. How did wrestling with that challenge reshape your view of God's faithfulness?
Day 10: What is an unfinished goal or broken situation that you need to lay on the altar, trusting that God’s timeline is better than your own?
Day 11: Write a letter of forgiveness—either to someone who hurt you this year, or to yourself for a mistake you can't seem to let go.
Day 12: Where in your life right now are you trying to force an outcome instead of resting in grace?
Week 3: Creating Quiet Space
Day 13: As the holiday rush begins, what is one non-negotiable spiritual boundary you need to set to protect your mental and emotional energy?
Day 14: Sit in total silence for 5 minutes. Afterward, journal about what feelings, anxieties, or praises bubbled up to the surface when the noise stopped.
Day 15: What material distractions or consumer habits tend to crowd out your spiritual focus during this season? How can you fast from them?
Day 16: Look at your calendar for the next month. What can you intentionally remove or say "no" to so that your heart has physical room to breathe?
Day 17: How can you turn a mundane daily routine (like making coffee or driving to work) into a quiet ritual of prayer and connection this week?
Week 4: The Heart's Anticipation
Day 18: Advent means "coming." What areas of your life, your community, or the world right now feel like they are desperately crying out for Christ’s renewal?
Day 19: Who in your immediate circle is carrying a heavy cross or feeling lonely as winter approaches? How can you practically bless them today?
Day 20: If you had to choose one single anchor verse or holy word to carry you through the holiday season, what would it be?
Day 21: What does a truly peaceful, Christ-centered holiday season look like to you? Define it clearly so you can fight for it.
Day 22: The Eve of Advent. Write a final prayer inviting Jesus into the messy, unpolished manger of your heart. What are you most ready to receive from Him?
Thanks for reading! Your heart matters.
