Advent 2008

Can it really be Advent in just over a week?


I don't know if it's because there's snow on the ground already or what, but it's starting to feel like Christmas is coming! The last few years we have scaled back drastically on our Christmas preparations and celebrations. I'm positively embarassed by the ridiculous amount of time, effort and $$$ we used to spend on Christmas. We went WAY over board. And when I say "we", I mean "I". Because my husband always felt I went overboard (and told me so), but he is a patient man, and even though he could have said "enough!", he let me figure it out on my own.





Oh, but Advent! I love this time of year. I love the whole "anticipation" aspect of it. Now understand, in years past I would have been baking and decorating and shopping and wrapping (and shrieking at the kids as I got more and more frazzled) in an effort to make "this Christmas the best ever".


Oh man. What was I thinking?


The "best Christmas ever" was 2000 some odd years ago in Bethlehem. Nothing I do is gonna top that one!


You know, my intentions were good. I just wanted to make things "special". I never meant to let things get so out of hand...but somehow it had the effect of obscuring the Child in the manger. He was there, but kind of in the background. And the thing of it is, if you had asked me I would have told you that for me, CHRIST was at the centre of Christmas. (Well sure He was, but he was wrapped in so many layers of tinsel and bows and paper that no one would blame you if you came to the conclusion the the Saviour was incidental to the "big day".)


Ah, well. I stand ever in His grace and mercy. And I may be a slooow learner...but He's teaching me.


So, Advent.


Well, this year I mean to focus on the four Sundays in Advent. Beginning November 30 I'd like to make a special meal each Sunday and invite a few last minutes guests from church over to fellowship with us. I am looking for a new Advent wreath because my old one is just about falling apart. We have an Advent devotional booklet to use to guide our devotions.


I'm also going to handwrite Christmas cards to friends and family. As many as I have time for. I may miss a few people on my list. I'll get them next year.


That's all I have planned. I hope to simply savour the weeks leading up to Christmas - with anticipation, yes, but for the coming of the Christ...not the coming of the "big day" where I show off for all my guests. Whatever else I may do - Christmas baking or decorating, or whatever -those things are what will be incidental. At least I hope so. Because I am still learning you know.