Advent is a time of expectant anticipation. But, oh, we are an impatient age. Even those of us who are older, we are no longer content to wait for anything. So what do we do with Advent? Has it lost its significance in our lives? We’re supposed to fill this time of waiting with prayer and reflection…but, if you’re like me, it’s filled with preparations for Christmas – and not so much for the blessed nativity, but in shopping, baking and the writing of Christmas cards. How did this happen…and why? It seems everything that humankind gets involved in becomes inflated and out of control. Is it too late to turn this around? Can we just decide to stop the madness and dole out lots of love and rejoice in the nativity of the Lord and call that Christmas?
Yes, we can…we don’t though, because there are children and grandchildren to consider. But are we underestimating our offspring with that kind of thinking? This past summer, both of our sons, along with their spouses, bought new homes. They are busy with renovations and improvements and both families came to the conclusion that, since we would all be together at Christmas, wasn’t that gift enough? Let’s get gifts for the children and let’s have our gathering together be gift for the rest of us.
I was actually the only one to protest – But can’t I knit things?
Oh yes, my daughters-in-law eagerly replied, but let’s not spend money on extravagant gifts. That warmed my heart and gave me hope!
Let’s take time this Advent season, to consider what Christmas really means to us. Let’s stop the madness where we can and fill these days with a bit of peace and joyful anticipation and preparation for the coming of our Lord!