Keeping Advent
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 9:01 PM
I mentioned last Monday that I’d be trying to observe Advent more carefully this year.
So far, it’s going pretty well.
I’ve kept all my official resolutions. I haven’t put any of our Christmas decorations up yet. I’ve been sticking to my novena and been trying to pay close attention to the Advent-y themes in Morning and Evening Prayer. And I haven’t listened to one note of Christmas music in my own house.
(I should mention that I decided ahead of time that there would be no point in trying to keep Advent joyfully if it turned me into a Scrooge about all the Christmas trappings I’d inevitably encounter in the world, so I planned to let myself enjoy the carols and lights in an anticipatory way while still focusing internally on the fact that Christmas is not quite here yet. It’s been working very well; ironically, I think I’m enjoying the secular Christmas-y atmosphere even more than I usually would because it’s a reminder of the true celebration to which I’m looking forward.)
I’ve been surprised by two things in the ten days during which I’ve been trying to focus on Advent instead of jumping into Christmas: first, how easy it’s been, and second, how rewarding it’s been.
I’d been under the impression that it was the Christmas atmosphere in my own home - especially the decorations and the music, which I really enjoy - which made December special for me, and therefore I thought it would be difficult to give up having those things before Christmas. Surprisingly, I’ve found that it hasn’t been hard at all. I don’t miss my Christmas stuff because I know I’ll still get to have it eventually, and I think pausing to commemorate Advent has actually helped build my anticipation.
And it’s that pausing which has made this time rewarding for me. I know that Christmas is there for me to enjoy when the time comes and it has made it easier for me to take the time to reflect on what Advent means, to prepare myself for the coming of the One whose birth gives the meaning to this whole celebration. I’d thought I might feel deprived during this time, but instead I am finding extra joy in Advent this year. What a pleasant surprise!
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