There is a tradition in western Christian churches to observe a season of advent leading up to Christmas. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before December 25th and marks the expectation and preparation for the coming of the Christ—the Messiah. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves as a reminder both of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for their Messiah as well as the waiting of Christians for the second coming of Christ.
The season of Advent reminds me to keep Christ at the center of the Christmas season. It is so easy to get caught up in the hubbub of shopping and traffic and lights and parties this time of year. I don’t think there is anything wrong with getting excited about Christmas but I never want to forget or even not give enough attention to Jesus. Jesus really is the reason for the season. I heard a phrase the other day that I liked. Someone said, “There has only been one Christmas. All the rest are anniversaries.”
I try to remind my children throughout the month of December that Christmas is really about Jesus but what does that look like in our lives? We still go shopping and buy gifts for each other but we tend to be quite conservative in our spending. Another thing we like to do is buy gifts for people we don’t know (or don’t know yet). This year our house church is buying gifts some nursing home residents. We are going to personally deliver the gifts and hang out with them for awhile. Who knows, maybe this will be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. That’s what we’re hoping for.
Christmas is about giving–whether it is purchased gifts or homemade gifts, whether it is the gift of your time or your talent. It’s about giving something of yourself to another…just like Jesus did.
Whatever you do this Advent season, be reminded that Jesus came to earth to dwell among us and show us the way to eternal life through the forgiveness of sin. He gave His life so that we might truly live. Merry Christmas!
