Why do we celebrate Advent?

November 30, 2007

Key word: Preparation

In the weeks before Christmas, we spend a great deal of time getting ready for the holidays. Houses are cleaned and decorated, trees are trimmed, parties are planned, invitations are sent, presents are purchased, groceries are bought, goodies are baked, suitcases are packed, Christmas cards are mailed (maybe); our ìto-doî lists are full!

While we shake our heads and sigh over the busy schedule, we continue the rituals, hopefully finding some joy and excitement as we give our time, energy, and resources getting ready to celebrate Christmas. For better or for worse, these things are part of our cultural preparation.

What about our spiritual preparation? One of the children asked this week, ìNow why do we celebrate Advent?î My answer was that it reminds us of how the Israelites waited for a Messiah, but thatís only part of the story. The other part is the preparation. The season of Advent is marked in worship by purple paraments, the same color we use for Lent. This is not a coincidence! The same penitence that marks the Lenten journey to the cross should characterize our preparation for Christmas. We take for granted the sacrifices we make in terms of time and money at this time of year ñ what sacrifices are we making for spiritual reasons?

Here are some things Iím aware of that are happening in our midst:

• People are seeking to simplify their Christmas by getting and giving less ìstuffî
• Some folks are giving to missions rather than spending that money elsewhere
• In response to our emphasis on Faith and the Environment, people are seeking environmentally friendly ways to observe their Christmas traditions
• To enhance our congregationís worship, the musicians of our church have been preparing for weeks to share the Christmas story through music
• To share the love of God, folks will be giving of their time to go caroling
• To spiritually prepare for the coming of the Messiah, people are more intentionally reading scripture, praying, and worshiping

These are just a few small ways we can focus on our spiritual preparation.

What will you do?

Come and join us this Advent,
Alicia

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