ADVENT?
If one is to look at Big Box stores such as Lowe’s or Home Depot, Walmart or Target, it would become clear that despite Covid19, our calendar of events is marked by two dates that are occurring in relatively short order namely, Halloween and Christmas, Of course, our supermarkets as also gearing up for Thanksgiving and turkeys, pumpkin pie mix, and seasoned stuffing packages are already filling the shelves. Halloween is currently winning the shelf space in Sam’s Club and other clubs as candy of every variety in packages large and small sit side by side with all manner of Ghoul and Ghost costumes for the kiddies. We love this stuff, and it would seem that there is something for everyone, Christian, atheist, agnostic, it really doesn’t matter, this is about times for celebrating, family fun, and the consumption of more sugar and fattening food that anyone needs.
I am all for family, although I must confess that I have never been big on Halloween, even when the girls were little. I did love decorating a Christmas tree with them, and the various but seldom successful attempts at building a gingerbread house (the word ‘flop’ could pretty much apply to some of the piles of icing and gingerbread that had slid to become nothing discernable on a plate on the kitchen table). Certainly, I take much pride in my ability to turn out a juicy twenty-five pound turkey, crispy skin and savory stuffing, sans giblets since all the girls refuse even the slightest suggestion as to their power to transform stuffing from mediocre to stunning! Having my family is a great source of happiness, and despite the absences that new married families can create, so far we have done pretty well, but for our daughter and family in England. However, there is an important element missing even as we say Grace at the Thanksgiving table, and enjoy the Peace of Christmas Eve services, and I believe that missing element seems to be fading more and more with each year that the secular celebrations eclipse the underlying purpose.
Christmas, or Xmas as card-makers and note writers seem to prefer; I’m not sure if that is a part of a growing predilection for brevity (LOL and others in the language of social media), or is a way to help us ignore the substance of Christ’s Mass in favor of the easier fun celebratory approach that imposes no burden upon us to acknowledge that we are also spiritual beings in an earthly body. That would imply a need to be connected beyond ourselves, friends and family, things anathema to our pride in self-sufficiency? Certainly, we do not know, categorically, the actual date of the birth of Jesus Christ. The Encyclopedia Britannica’s theological researchers, a trustworthy source, suggest that it was Sextus Julius Africanus in 221 who affixed December 25th as the date, which later became the universally accepted date. Others suggest that the date coopts that of a popular Roman holiday, and that there are pagan overtones to the Christmas date. Frankly, I find the date irrelevant since unless one accepts the actual presence of Christ on earth (see other posts and the reference to early Roman historians), and more importantly his crucifixion and resurrection, then we might just as well call it Santa Day, and party on. If the exchanging of gifts at Christmas is simply about how much society can chalk up as the value of merchandise sold, and the percentage of online to in-store sales together with how we each demonstrate our worldly wealth in what we give (a new car with a red bow on the hood!), then we definitely have missed the point. Gifts of gold, Frankincense and Myrrh are absolutely a part of the Christmas story, as are wise men from the East, shepherds and flocks, the Christmas star (you place one atop your tree, why?), and choirs of angels, but all of that is window dressing to the story. After some four-hundred years of comparative silence, God comes back to His created people to try, yet again, to have us listen to His Word, inwardly digest same, and put it into practice in our daily lives. Therein lies the problem, or ‘rub’ if you prefer. You see, if we really accept that, then we must do something about it, and quite frankly, we do not want to because it upsets so many things in our busy lives. There is too much going on, and to be honest, we like our life the way it is. We enjoy watching whatever piece of material Hollywood has put out, either in theaters or on Prime or Netflix. Sunday golf with our buddies has itself become a ritual, and/or the kids really like going to the beach. The coach of whatever sport little Johnny or Jane love so much, really does not have any other option but Sunday in his or her busy schedule, plus that is when the field, arena, etc. is available! Of course, the yard must be mowed, and the shrubs attended to, well I think we all get it; life is just too busy to fit in one more thing. Then again, “I really do not find church relevant…. I have tried, but I just do not get much out of it! Oh! I like to go at Easter and Christmas, they are nice services and it is nice to see some folks we do not get to see very often.” Yes, we are very busy people, but to what end? A bigger house, a new car, that boat I have always wanted!
I recently asked a friend to describe what he thought the difference was between, pleasure, happiness, and joy. He hasn’t responded as yet, but I am sure he will, and I shall be very interested in his response, especially as it relates to which of these operates as a priority in his life, and which brings real satisfaction. For myself, I take real pleasure in writing, and I am probably happiest when our grandchildren are all around us. Joy, however, is only a relatively new experience for me, and it comes from the relationship in which I am growing in coming to know the Lord. I know, corny, right? Ah! but if you only knew that real sense of joy and the Peace that surpasses all understanding, I believe I can safely promise you that all else pales in comparison. It is life changing, and yes, it does come at a price, but it is a price that anyone can afford.
So, as we have now endured this pandemic for the better part of the 2020 year, and for some this has meant not mere inconvenience of being shut-in, but perhaps the loss of a loved one, perhaps we might ask ourselves how we will approach this Season of Advent? I’m pretty sure you know the choices, and as we look at the world around us unravelling, then perhaps we should consider that Christmas starts with us, just as church has nothing to do with a building, but everything to do with how the people within live out their faith each day.
Merry Christmas, and may God Bless and keep you.