For many people
the four weeks before Christmas Day are harrowing! Too many pleasant events, a
plethora of command performances, a multitude of obligations to family and
friends, and end-of-year financial reckonings crowd the calendar. Moreover,
some individuals feel locked into perennial commitments to particular relatives
on Christmas, when they'd prefer to enjoy the company of certain close friends
or specific relatives. Furthermore, annual holiday advertisements for camera
film depict idealized families of grandparents, parents, and children dining
blissfully and problem-free, implying that this setting is the norm for
everyone. Those living otherwise may feel wanting, unable to celebrate with
equal elation, and feeling that the holiday is not really for them. In
addition, some adults crave nostalgically for the innocent wonder of their
childhood's Christmas, only to discover an inability to go back convincingly.
According to one measurement, for one or more of these reasons, the season's
stress level for many folks is ranked as more severe than being apprehended for
violating the law!
Sometime ago,
after a remark was made about the "four weeks from hell" preceding Christmas, a
wise person commented, "The fact of the matter is that we're fully able to set
limits on most of these supposed demands by saying 'yes' selectively and 'no'
sensitively. The truth is that each of us is as yielding, busy, and frantic as
we really want to be." The individual continued by mentioning the excessive
busyness of too many churches, thus adding to the frenzy.
The Advent Alternative
In addition to
moderating the pace (if we intentionally make that choice), "Bethesdans" are
among Christians provided with the liturgical season of Advent. Lived
faithfully, this period offers a satisfying and mature perspective for these
weeks. "Advent" (from the Latin adventus: coming) is the first season of the
Christian year, a tradition dating to the 6th Century.
Advent worship is
designed to prepare us emotionally and spiritually for the annual celebration
of The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Christmas Day - the birth of God's
Holy Word in human history. Advent prayers sung and spoken, befitting
Scriptural selections, various customs, and apropos sermons uphold, assist, and
focus our watchfulness for Christ's annual coming on Christmas Day. We prepare
for his profound reentry within our hearts and minds, preparedness nurturing
our expectant awe and quiet wonder.
During Advent we
also make ready for Christ's eventual "Second Coming" as Judge: in more
ordinary language, for our accountability to God for the stewardship of our
lives. As each of us reflects carefully upon the Divine Will and the realities
of our corporate and individual lives, we will know and feel the need to
reconsider and reorder some of our priorities and loyalties. In theological
language, we are called to "repent," to make an about-face on some aspects of
our lives, to alter our ways of looking at life, to take on God's viewpoint, to
feel deep and genuine regret for some of what we have done and for what we have
left undone, and, to align our hearts and minds with God's purposes.
At the annual
celebration of the Nativity, God's Word deserves more than our exhaustion. A
faithful and serene Advent will guide us to a miraculous and truly peaceful
Christmas!