I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. Paul continues in similar vein for the whole of today's reading. With an opening like that, it then became possible for Paul to say in his letters what he wanted and needed to say to that particular fellowship. If he'd started by haranguing them, they would probably have thrown the letter on the nearest fire without ever reading any further. Paul carefully prepared the way, so that his words could be heard and digested.
Advent is a time of preparation.
Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of Jesus, so if we want to meet with God in a new sort of way at Christmas, then we must prepare carefully. The busyness needs to be laid aside for a while, so that we can step back into the velvety darkness of Advent, allowing ourselves time and space to wait upon God. We don't have to do anything. Perhaps that's the point - doing nothing for a short while each day, not expecting anything or asking for anything but simply being completely quiet before God. That would be a good preparation for a renewed celebration of Christmas, a renewed welcoming of the Lord, in a couple of weeks' time.