Thoughts from the Pulpit
Grace to you and peace!
In my sermon on December 2, I shared that I personally don’t care about the so-called “War on Christmas.” It really doesn’t offend me in the least if someone says “Happy holidays!” instead of “Merry Christmas” to me. I just don’t get upset. I do suspect, however, that those who do may be held tight in the grip of partisan politics.
What I said I was more concerned about is the War on Advent. Which really is a silly thing to say because no one would execute a War on Advent. Because no one cares enough about Advent to assault it. And yet, the way we celebrate “Christmas” comes close. The idea that a several-months-long frenzy of buying and partying has much to do with the incarnation of the Son of God strikes me as far-fetched.
And yet, in these days, I do go to and host parties, and I do put lights on my house, and I do share and receive gifts. But, I don’t do this with the sense that these activities are quintessentially Christian.
What strikes me as important to celebrate in these days, however, is Advent. I recently came across an article called The Gift of Advent in The Mennonite, a publication of the Mennonite Church USA. Published on December 1, 2013, the author’s name isn’t given. But it is written by a woman who was raised in the Amish community and as an adult is now part of the Mennonite Church. She writes that Advent was not a part of her religious upbringing. As an Amish child, her experience of the Christmas season was nothing like the consumer-driven Christmas of today. Gift-giving was not at the center of her Christmas celebration.
She goes on to say:
Now, as an adult, what I value most about the Christmas season is Advent. I value the anticipation, the waiting, the silence and the music. Advent really is about waiting. Each Sunday we light another candle, and then we wait.
We go about our week, knowing what is on our schedule but not really knowing what tomorrow will bring. It gives us time to think beyond this week or even this month.
Advent gives us time to ponder the work of God in us and through us.
Today’s holiday season is fast paced and hectic. There is shopping, making cookies, decorating the house and the yard, attending parties—and the list goes on.
On the news we hear of the importance of Christmas sales and the impact on the economy. It makes us feel guilty if we’re not shopping and “helping grow the economy.”
Advent allows us to slow down. It allows us to sit in silence and hear that still small voice within us. In times of silence we have only ourselves and our thoughts. Silence reminds us of what is bothering us, what needs attention, what needs to be tended to.
In her book Illuminated Life, Joan Chittister says that silence is “life’s greatest teacher. It shows us what we have yet to become and how much we lack to become it.” Advent gives us silence.
Mainstream American society emphasizes Christmas Day and the New Year’s celebrations. We’ve bundled all this into the “holiday season.” Naturally we need gifts and proper clothing for all these holiday events. “Over the river and through the woods” we go in planes, trains and automobiles as we try to meet the demands of our pressing holiday schedules.
Advent allows us time to sit back and sing those traditional songs. We sing them every year, and every year they grow richer in their meaning. We take time to ponder the words of each song and sing them with our whole being. We look for new meaning in each verse and word.
Advent gives us time to meditate on Mary’s Song (Luke 1:46-49): “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
Advent. The time of anticipation. A time of waiting.
Then Christmas Day comes, and we light the Christ candle. We celebrate the birth of our Savior.
As a lifelong Lutheran, whose favorite season of the church year since childhood was Advent, I’m grateful for this writer’s perspective as someone for whom Advent is new. I love her witness: Advent allows us to slow down, to sit in silence, to hear the still small voice within, to ponder the work of God in and through us.
Advent blessings to you!
Pastor Michael
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