I tried. I sat in church and tried to sing a Christmas Carole, I couldn't do it. It's not Christmas; it's 55 degrees and raining but my inability has nothing to do with the weather. It is simply not Christmas yet, there are 22 and a half more days until Christmas. Today is the start of the Church season known as Advent.
Advent is a time of anticipation, expectation, preparation and waiting. It's certainly not the most fun or glamorous season but it is necessary for the proper understanding of Christmas. The little
For me (and for a good portion of the church) Christmas starts on Christmas Eve and ends at Epiphany (January 6,2008). I've tried a few times to 'get into the Christmas Spirit" without Advent but it doesn't work. It was easier as a kid, the anticipation, expectation and long wait for Christmas morning was overwhelming, now it's less so.
That time we call Christmas is actually Advent and the downtime between Christmas and the end of the College Football Bowl Season is Christmas. Basically Christmas starts where the church ends it.
I'm clearly not a fan of this arrangement and would like to see Advent brought back.
I'm clearly not a fan of this arrangement and would like to see Advent brought back.
For a church that loves emotion advent brings a depth to the lineup that other Holidays and Holydays miss. It deepens the joy of Christmas by building up to it, it's the difference between easing into a pool and jumping in feet first.
Our current celebration situation is a good hat tip to the culture of Christmas. The Church tries to keep up with the stores who push out Christmas items out a few days earlier every year. We fall prey to this influence every time all the while preaching against the commercialization of Christmas. Maybe the church needs to hold off on Christmas to stand against the commercialization.
I'm going to celebrate Advent, I'll buy an Advent wreath, I may even get an advent calendar. And I may even wait to open my presents until January 5, the last official day of the Christmas season.
