Working out Advent

Today is the third day of Advent. Three years ago, after putting up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, I was planning out the thousands of cookies I was going to make before Dec. 25th. I started to wonder why I was doing all of this. It occurred to me that there had to be a reason why we celebrate Christmas the way we do. I emailed my friend Noel and asked her how she celebrates the Christmas season. She sent me some great links to a couple of advent websites. She told me about their advent wreath and readings that they do as a family. It opened my eyes to the fact that I was celebrating Christmas in a very worldly way. Since that time, I have been working out my Advent traditions. Every year I have scribbled out notes in my planner of things I want to do or not do the next year. This year our pastors put together an Advent liturgy, Praise God! We have been reading it in the mornings, and discussing it over dinner, it has helped get me on track this year.

My notes from last year are: Put out Advent wreath and calendar on 11-30. Do tree on Christmas Eve, unless at Grandparents. Start advent slow, focus on serving others and meeting their needs. Last year I was trying to make Advent a big celebration for the whole month. During the season I heard somewhere that Advent is a season of anticipation. It is a time of preparing for the incarnation. Once again I had the whole thing upside down. This year we are getting ready during Advent, and Lord willing the party will begin in earnest on Dec. 24 and continue until Jan 6, Epiphany. I am still working out what that is going to look like.

My hope is that my children will learn from my mistakes. Eventually we will work out family traditions of Advent that are a delight. We will learn more about our Lord, and His rhythm of life. I still get overwhelmed during this season of celebration, but I am hoping that focusing on hope we have in Christ will keep it all in perspective. It is also a great lesson in waiting. My poor five year old is just dieing to put up the tree and make the gingerbread house. All in due time.