Advent has begun. I’ve always taken the season for granted in the usual secular/religious ways: buying, wrapping, giving and receiving gifts, cooking, Christmas parties, carol singing, family gatherings, Christmas Eve church services. Yes, religious wrapped in the secular. This year I’ll retain some of that social, secular, community time, but I am more drawn to consider what Advent means for my faith. What am I waiting for besides the holiday festivities?
We celebrate again and again, year after year, because each year of remembering offers something new to our faith. Waiting for the coming, Jesus’ coming. In my church we wait—wait until Christmas Eve to sing ‘Silent Night,” and read Luke 2.
And then, Jesus comes, of humble birth. Nothing we would ever celebrate, much less tolerate in our current lives; such a contrast to the secular celebration that has already begun. For sure, I must strive toward humility. But how, with all the holiday festivities? I am not about to walk away from them, nor am I judging those who create a gorgeous Christmas table. That’s the culture.
How do I accept that it isn’t important to me in the same way it used to be, and yet participate? I’m working on a way that my faith can support outward holiday joy.
We celebrate again and again, year after year, because each year of remembering offers something new to our faith. Waiting for the coming, Jesus’ coming. In my church we wait—wait until Christmas Eve to sing ‘Silent Night,” and read Luke 2.
And then, Jesus comes, of humble birth. Nothing we would ever celebrate, much less tolerate in our current lives; such a contrast to the secular celebration that has already begun. For sure, I must strive toward humility. But how, with all the holiday festivities? I am not about to walk away from them, nor am I judging those who create a gorgeous Christmas table. That’s the culture.
How do I accept that it isn’t important to me in the same way it used to be, and yet participate? I’m working on a way that my faith can support outward holiday joy.
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