We have arrived at that time of year when thoughts of Christmas and preparations for it have begun. It is far too easy for me to get caught up in the pageantry of it all and to miss what God really has for me during this season. It is for that reason that I have decided to embark on several short reflections of the advent season.
The word advent actually means a coming into place, view or being. I often consider it a beginning point when I use it in regular speech outside Christmas. The church calendar marks it as beginning the first of four Sundays before Christmas. So if you're counting, I'm actually a little early with this post. In my world (and I'm betting most of yours too) the Christmas season begins right after Thanksgiving. That's when I give myself permission to start listening to the Christmas music I love and changing the decor of my home.
Why do we all get so excited for the coming of Christmas? The answer, I suppose, depends on your perspective. Retailers love Christmas because it flips the books. Unless you've had an absolutely horrid year all year and nobody is bothering to buy Christmas gifts from you now, it is the time of year you actually start making a profit that will carry you through until next Christmas season. I worked in retail management for a number of years so I understand their fervor to a degree, though I wasn't an accountant.
Children (and probably most adults too) love Christmas because there is an expectation of gifts to be received. And for many to be purchased and wrapped as well. There is almost always joy that accompanies a gift - a good gift at any rate,
Non-profits love Christmas because the joy of Christmas usually means the overflow of ministry coffers. Joyfulness breeds generosity.
But why do Christians love Christmas? We love Christmas because it marks the birth of our Savior. We don't know the actual time of year, let alone date, that Jesus was actually born, but like our son Jadon who was assigned a birthday when he entered the orphanage in China, we celebrate the date that has been assigned. It is believed that this time of year was chosen because celebrating Jesus entry into the world redeemed many of the pagan celebrations that were already occurring because of the Winter Solstice. Isn't that so like Jesus, allowing his birth to be celebrated in order to redeem pagan holidays?
There are many thoughts swirling in my mind as I approach Advent this year. My prayer is that God's redemption through Jesus will ring loud and clear and drown out all other loves. I invite you to explore the glory of the gospel in the birth of Jesus this season with me. May we redeem this holiday that has become so crowded with material gain and secular bling. But most of all may we come into the joy of Jesus' presence because He is the greatest gift the world has ever known!
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