Each Advent, members of my theology class at church bemoan the vast commercialization of Christmas. Complaints like, "They start putting out Christmas stuff before Halloween is even over!" are accompanied by the observation that the birth of Jesus is lost among Santa, wish lists, and the frenzy to buy, decorate, cook, and buy some more.
For denominations like ours, that observe Advent, December is a time we focus on the wait for Christ's birth, just as we wait for his return. Often, friends of mine express the difficulty of waiting in the midst of holiday mania all around. The Atlanta Journal Constitution recently ran a guest column exploring this very issue. The liturgical church year is beautiful, and it heightens my awareness of Christ's life. But sometimes I think we forget that these observances and seasons were never commanded by Jesus. They were created by the church to help us.
I find it difficult to completely understand the dismay of my friends. For me, the commotion of Christmas and the season of Advent are not completely incompatible. When I see the Christmas decorations and displays peeking out the first few days of November, excitement pulls at me. Here is one of my favorite seasons on the horizon. Each light burns like a hopeful heart, reminding me of the joy of Jesus' birth.
My son, Liam, has been able to comprehend Christmas more profoundly this year. His face glows with delight when he sees homes bedecked in decorations, and every morning he races to his Advent calendar to see what he will find there. Each afternoon, after school, he excitedly asks me, "Can we do the Jesse Tree now?" These moments provide rich opportunities to explain why our family celebrates Christmas - to explain how grateful we are for the birth of Christ.
I truly believe the Holy Spirit moves among us during Advent. The Spirit of Christmas works through the outpouring of love and generosity we feel toward one another this time of year. Ultimately, the expectation I feel in the December days leading to Christmas reflects the knowledge of the greatest gift of all - Emmanuel; Christ with us.
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