Today is the first Sunday in Advent, and as I do every year, I feel the urge to write a musing. I have so much on my mind as we go into the pre-Christmas season. Advent is the time of preparation as we await the celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus. My Lutheran roots tell me that Advent is it’s own, very special time. Without it Christmas becomes a big blur throughout December. The church calendar I am familiar with has Advent for 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas Day, and then the ‘season’ of Christmas extends to the start of Epiphany, January 6th.
I’m not a conservative Christian in most ways, but when it comes to honoring the past, and putting the emphasis on Jesus at Christmas I push back on so much of the commercialism, and all the glitter that blinds us to not see the glow of Star of the East. I like lighting the Advent wreath candles. Opening Advent calendar doors. Singing Advent hymns.
Advent is a time of patience. It’s a time of waiting. It’s a time of hearing about why Mary and Joesph left their homeland and traveled to Bethlehem before the birth. It’s a time to re-tell the story of what was going on then, and why the normal places for them to stay were full, and Mary & Joseph had to find a spot in an animal stable. Somewhere safe, somewhere simple.
It prepares us for the joy of the Christ child born on Christmas Day.
These days it’s all so hectic, and all about shopping, and special music programs (not a one happens AFTER December 25th during the true Christmas season.) It’s all about rushing around, here and there, Don’t get me wrong. I love all the music and I am playing at least five times in performances during the first two weeks of the month. Band and handbell groups. I have rehearsals mixed in too. I enjoy it and the music is absolutely beautiful this time of year.
But everything is squished in. It’s hurried. A bit crazy. Each year I tell myself I am not going to get caught up in the ‘extras’ of Christmas and barely have time for the ‘reason for the season.’ Every year I say it. Yet, this morning i printed out a blank December calendar to write everything in. Each day has something going on.
As I sit here I think, what do I want on my Christmas list this year? What is important this year? Remember the beautiful song sung by Amy Grant: “My Grown Up Christmas List.” The words include: that wars would never start, everyone would have a friend, right could always win, and love would never end.
My list this year includes all of that, and:
Acceptance for all people, for all kinds of people.
More live music opportunities. Concert experiences. (Ok. It’s a selfish desire. Sorry, not sorry.)
Good health for my family.
Peace – in our minds and hearts. Peace stops violence.
Peace brings contentment.
I wonder if we could stop the expectations of the season… Would it be better? Centered more on Christ? Would we go into January (still the Christmas season) without being worn out? Drained from December? Happy it’s over?
So, today, the first day of the preparation season of Advent, I have taken my fall decorations down. I am beginning the process of SLOWLY “preparing the way.” Preparing for the way of the Lord! Preparing the lights that shine like the stars in the sky. Preparing the presents to remember the Magi brought gifts to the Christ child. Preparing to experience Christmas fully.
Not yet. But soon.
Marla’s Musings 