As we wait for the coming of Christmas , the traditional Christian community observes what is called Advent. Advent is a time of waiting. Not anxious waiting or impatient waiting, but expectant waiting. Much of the Jewish community is also observing Hanukkah. This is a celebration that remembers the expectant waiting for God to save His people long ago as they had limited oil to light their lamps and were surrounded by enemy threats. God kept oil in the lamps and then gave them victory over their more powerful foes. It is interesting to me that these overlapping seasons of waiting and celebrating God’s provision of care for and demonstration of His Love for people have evolved to holidays celebrated by hedonistic traditions of accumulating more stuff, eating more food than we need and wearing ourselves out by trying to live up to expectations of living up to--and doing more, having more and being more than the others whose Holiday letters we read each year. We find ourselves coveting with a lust for what we don’t have and indulging in gluttony for more…more food, more stuff, more satisfaction to fill the void. What do those things have to do with the holy celebration of Christmas, the birth of Christ, anyway?
Please don’t get me wrong, I love presents and celebrating traditions with family and friends. I am just thinking about re-thinking some of all of this.
Well, here we are at the close of 2020. A year of pandemic, loss, unrest, fear and reflection. How will we approach these Holy Days? I know many of us are adjusting our traditions and expectations. Some are going back to the stories of old--the stories where God entered the fray of the fallen world. We are reading and thinking more about where He showed up to rescue people and remind them of His love. From the time when Adam and Eve received clothing; Noah was provided with instructions and materials for the ark; Abraham was given a son in his old age; and Moses, God’s Presence and Words on tablets for the journey through the desert; God has been demonstrating His Love and determination to rescue us from the ultimate demise of being obliterated for eternity.
The Creator of the Universe is passionate about saving us from being separated from God (God’s Self) and His love forever. Generations after Abraham, the Jewish people experienced the miraculous provision of 8 days of oil. And centuries after that, according to the scriptures, God sent His Son as a baby…The Word became flesh, the Messiah came into the real world to do the ultimate deed of dying and raising from the dead to save us. To save you and me. Jesus (God in the flesh) entered our world through the unexpected avenue of human birth, a birth that took place in a filthy animal occupied stable, no less.
Now in a time of uncertainty, we can still be assured of God’s love for us. Can we wait differently this year? Instead of saturating ourselves with busy-ness, accumulating stuff, and hosting many (if any) holiday parties, perhaps we can reflect and focus on something new? I trimmed my holiday “trimming time” by several days this year. Who’s coming to look at it anyway? Perhaps that’s a start for me.
I began this little musing with waiting…awaiting…Advent. Perhaps as we find ourselves in a quieter place, less able to do all the previous Holiday traditions, it may be good to take some time to light an advent candle or a Hanukkah candle and reflect on what God is trying to say right here, right now. He is still providing, rescuing, loving. But like what happened over 2000 years ago His presence and love may show up in unexpected ways. Light the candle, say a prayer and listen.
Today in the City of David a savior is born—to you—He is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11 paraphrased)
Blessed Holy Days to you and your whole family!