We are in danger of losing the sense of the sacredness of Advent. Each year the “Christmas music” seems to begin a little earlier. Each year the marketers seem a little more aggressive in their efforts to get shoppers to spend more money and buy more things. And each year the industry that has grown up around Christmas gets a little further out of touch with what is really going on.
They almost get it right. These few weeks before Christmas are indeed a time for preparation. We refer to it as Advent from a Latin word meaning “to come.” While much of the world “prepares” with shopping, decorating, and celebrating, Christians prepare spiritually, meditating on the dual meaning of “to come.” We prepare to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, when eternity touches the Earth, and God becomes man, but we also reflect upon His second coming at the end of all things.
Advent has a somber atmosphere to it, almost reminiscent of Lent. But with each passing day our anticipation grows and our joy increases. Think of it like a pregnancy. An expectant mother’s attitude is one of restrained joy. She prepares for the coming of her child into the world, but does not allow herself to fully experience the joy until her child is born. Advent is like that.
Then on December 26th, when the rest of the world has moved on and is already planning for an even bigger party, we have only just begun to truly celebrate Christmas.
Pax Vobiscum
First Sunday of Advent