I love traditions, however the main stream cultural Christmas traditions can prove to be rather daunting. We live in a culture that seems to buck at tradition until the holiday season arrives. All of the sudden life is buzzing with the the cultural traditions of shopping, presents, snowmen, reindeer, jingle bells and a man in a red suit. Pop culture clings to these traditions. I admit I do enjoy many of these things; like decorating the house, hanging lights, wrapping gifts, shopping, setting up (and sweeping up) a real tree, and simply enjoying family.
Christmas movies are entertaining. Okay, well not all of them, we all know the ones that make our eyes roll. I do think 'A Christmas Story' is hysterical. I enjoy Charles Dickens 'Christmas Carol' with my kids. There have been years we have taken our kids to see Santa, not always, as this is the first thing to go when it's too busy. Also, last year our 3rd child was pleased to announce to the world that "Santa is not real". Therefore, we had to be careful. Even "Elf On The Shelf" makes an appearance. Gasp! please don't hate me. We got the thing before we knew the story. Of course we don't let the kids think that the elf is actually reporting their behavior to Santa, that's silly. We just enjoy the kids laughing at the funny stuff our elf has done over night. Perhaps this is simply a type of bribery to get them up on a cold morning without being so grumpy.
I enjoy, to a point, the Christmas plays and pageants, at least the kids are cute despite the cheesiness of the scripts. The Nutcracker Ballet and Christmas concerts all captivate the imagination. Attending a live performance of Handel's Messiah is at the top my Christmas tradition bucket list. I could drive for hours scoping out the glitzy lights, sipping hot chocolate, and blasting Christmas music. Christmas parties are also great fun with friends and family. Eggnog kinda rocks but Tom & Jerrys are better! I think I will have to share my recipe in a future post. Holiday cooking and baking are also exciting. Preparing old favorites and scrolling though Pinterest for new ideas certainly can be inspiring. Decorating and making gingerbread houses are welcomed activities by the kids. There is great joy in hand-making sweet treats for others, and worth the mess in the kitchen, right?
Yes, this kind of nostalgia can offer some enjoyment, warm fuzzy feelings, and many darling memories. However, the fluffy spirituality of "believe in the spirit of Christmas" is quickly fleeting. By the time Christmas Eve rolls around many people are burnt out on the American Christmas. All the movies have been watched, the songs have been over played, and the fake Santa's have shaved off their beards. These traditions do not have much to offer beyond fun or memories. In fact these traditions can have a way of adding to the "to-do list" and stress of the preparation rather than easing it with the peace of the season.
So I whole hardheartedly have come to love the season of Advent. For one thing it slows me down. The season of Advent brings peace and rest in the mist of the holiday hustle. Advent is a season of somber waiting and preparation. The Church has taken the Advent journey from around the 6th century. Many Christians find Advent to be helpful and useful. Not because of the man made traditions but rather how the one true faith, as expressed in God's Word, shapes the traditions that have sought to build up and edify the people of God.
The traditions of Advent help guide our meditation and prayer. Focusing on Christ who humbly took on human flesh to be the promised Messiah. I cherish the shape this season gives to the practice of the Church and the life of the Christian. Advent leads our anticipation, focusing us on repentance. Advent proclaims the forgiveness that the Lamb of God brings to all the world. The season begins the liturgical church year connecting us to the past, present, and future in new life of Christ. The core emphasis of Advent is on the coming of Christ. This emphasis is three fold, Christ has come, Christ is come, Christ will come.
The traditions of Advent include taking more time to spend in God's Word, lighting candles or an Advent wreath, setting out a nativity scene, singing great "O" Antiphons, serving the poor, and more. All of these things help establish a pace for our preparation focusing our hearts and minds on Jesus who came to live, die, and rise again for us. Over the next several days I will post a short piece each day discussing what I have come to appreciate about many of these these Advent traditions. I will share with you haw we try to make these things a part of our family life. I invite you to join me in this little Advent journey, please feel free to share your traditions or memories in the comments.
Advent fills the life of the Christian with the illuminating light of Christ, giving hope, peace, love and joy in and out of season.
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