Advent

 

“Advent is coming” is a redundant statement. The word “Advent” comes from Latin and means “It is coming.” For Christians, Advent refers to the coming of Jesus Christ. We celebrate His birth on December 25, Christmas. Advent is also the season, i.e., the four Sundays, leading up to Christmas.

Most churches mark the four Sundays of Advent by lighting special candles. Each candle has some meaning. The first candle is for Hope, the second for Peace, the third for Love, and the fourth for Joy. Often, there is one more candle that is lit on Christmas Eve for Jesus.

Advent is a time for preparation. For so many of us, the focus is on the folderol of Christmas. We put up lights on the house or blow-up Santas on the front lawn. We drag out or purchase a Christmas tree. We decorate our homes. We bake special goodies and plan a feast. We buy presents. We send Christmas cards. (I say “we” here, but I mean, “some people.” I gave up sending Christmas cards in 1979.)

This preparation is so much fun—when it’s not too much work. The rituals and traditions are deeply satisfying, even for non-religious people. In this COVID-plagued year, the preparations are likely to have special poignancy. Many of us will not be able to celebrate with friends and family as we usually do. Even worse, for far too many of us, there will be empty places in our homes and hearts this year.

In the church, the folderol was never the point of Advent. For Christians, Advent is about preparing our hearts for the coming Christ. According to Christianity.com, https://www.christianity.com/christian-life/christmas/what-is-advent.html

Advent is intended to be a season of fasting, much like Lent, and there are a variety of ways that this time of mourning works itself out in the season. Reflection on the violence and evil in the world causes us to cry out to God to make things right—to put death’s dark shadows to flight. Our exile in the present makes us look forward to our future Exodus. And our own sinfulness and need for grace lead us to pray for the Holy Spirit to renew his work in conforming us into the image of Christ.

In my opinion, the best Christmases are the ones that are most deeply steeped in Christian spirituality. It can be a productive time for seeking God and attuning our hearts to His will. This can require some discipline. Besides attending church services on the four Sundays before Christmas and the services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, we benefit from daily, personal time of prayer and Scripture reading.

This is why Advent devotionals can be helpful. Let me recommend two.

One is written by my friend, Dr. Debi Newman; Soul Transformation Through Advent. Debi is one of the most spiritual people I know. She leads you into deep contemplation that is challenging and uplifting. Her devotional has daily readings for Advent all the way through Epiphany, January 6. It even  has some recipes for sweet treats.

The other Advent devotional is mine: The Season of Songs.  This is my first self-published book. I  have always loved Christmas carols and some years ago I did some research into the backstories of my favorites. This Advent devotional has 28 daily readings. Each includes the lyrics to a well-known carol and some information for reflection.

Advent 2020 begins Sunday, November 29. You still have time to order one or both of these devotionals to arrive in time. No worries if you have to get a later start, though. Let me be the first to wish you a Merry Advent.