Advent has begun; another way in which the church is counter
cultural. We anticipate the coming of Christmas for four weeks. We prepare
ourselves for the coming of Christ. Then, we celebrate Christmas until epiphany
(Jan. 6th), or at least that is the ideal. Very often, we give into
the culture and celebrate Christmas before Christmas and leap over the season.
There are benefits and drawbacks to both holding the traditional line and also to
going with the cultural flow.
Maintaining the traditional Christmas season is a way to
witness to the world that Christ is the important part of Christmas. All the
preparation is for his coming, not for Santa or for gifts.
Celebrating in a more culturally relevant way, such as
singing Christmas songs before Christmas or putting the baby in the manger
before Christmas eve, may reach more people. The message that Christmas is about
God born as a child may reach hearts and ears that are not in church for the
traditional Christmas services.
Whatever way that your church chooses to celebrate the
coming of Christ, we know that Advent is a time to examine our hearts once
again. It is a time to be humble before God. It is a time to acknowledge that
God is in control and chooses to come to us, to reach out in love. It is a time
to turn our lives once more over into the hands of God.
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