The Gift of Advent

          I’m not a frequenter of malls, so I heard from someone else (speaking in appalled tones) that the Christmas decorations, and Santa himself, had appeared there by the first days of November.

          Now, before you conclude that this is one more diatribe against our increasingly pagan, commercialized society, let me state: Yes, it is a sign of our crass consumerism; and at a deeper level, I think, a sign of the spiritual emptiness of so many lives that we are discontent unless displaying and stocking up for the next Big Day. So Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas bleed into one another…but I’m more interested in trying to provide a different approach for those who are also concerned (and I’m guessing that’s most of you).

          God has established rhythms for our lives, daily, weekly, seasonally. And over the years, the church has developed annual festivals and seasons that largely reflect the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the subsequent work of the Holy Spirit.

          There’s no better time than Advent for bringing this home (so to speak!) for us and for our children. Advent is the period of four weeks (including four Sundays) that lead up to Christmas Day. To keep Advent today is to resist the temptations to focus on Christmas—and to recognize its quiet spirit. It is about human longings for peace and joy, fueled then and now by the biblical prophets’ words; it is about recognizing how amazingly and caringly God made preparations in the lives of ordinary people for the promised birth; it is about our praying and acting as those who trust that God is still at work to bring about a new creation.

          Seek to live in the present rather than the pre-Christmas crush. Use an Advent wreath at home, lighting a fresh candle each week (as we will in church) with appropriate scripture and prayer. Go easy on the decorations until close to Christmas; if you use a crèche (miniature of the stable and manger) set it up, but wait until Christmas Eve to place the characters in it. Likewise with music: We don’t sing “He is risen” weeks before Easter; why “He is born” weeks before Christmas? One exception: our caroling to shut-ins. Remember, there are twelve days of Christmas during which to sing and play all that gorgeous music. Have a family “giving” project: Save together during Advent and make a Christmas gift to a meaningful cause, like one of our church’s special offerings, or Heifer Project, Habitat, etc. And when shopping, wrapping, or baking (if you have time for that these days!) remember why it is that we give gifts at Christmas—and make certain children know, too.

          The point isn’t to become legalistic about this (and you may not agree with everything I just said). It is to work out a response to our shared concern for “the holidays.” And by keeping Advent, we will make room for Christmas to be the wondrous gift from God it truly is.

Peace,

Rod