Have We Lost It?

[Lil Red]

I found this in a booklet entitled: Keeping Advent and Christmastime.

"We need Advent. Without it we stop being what we are: a people who are waiting. We need the gospel's terrifying announcement of the end of time. We need the prophet's consolations and threats. We learn who we are in the uneasy raving of John the Baptist and in the gentle strength of Mary."

"Of course, Advent cannot exist if we jump the gun on Christmas. And Christmastime cannot exist if we are already tired of it by December 25. These two seasons require each other. Only after the silence of Advent can the carols of Christmastime spring. Only after Advent's darkness can a single star give so much cheer. Only after Advent's terror can an angel be heard, once again, telling us to 'fear not'. Year after years, we so genuinely need these seasons as rehearsal for heaven."

Cool, huh? It was printed by LTP, if you cared to know. Pax.

[track2004]

As hard as it seems to just live your own personal life knowing that Christmas does not start until December 24th, I think sometimes we are forced into the secular belief that the Christmas season starts the Friday after Thanksgiving. Personally I have been struggeling with what I ought to do if my employer asks me to begin the season this coming Friday. I am torn because this is part of my job, and I can't just wear a sticker that says, "I'm Catholic; Christmas starts Dec. 24." (Gee I wish I could, that'd be great). On the other hand, I believe that Advent is very important to fully apperciate the joyful season that follows. So basically I am stuck in between what society tells me and what I believe, and neither side can have a total victory, which is unfortunate.

On another note, my family has always put the tree up the weekend before Christmas. This was mostly due to the fact that my parents had to be there. I like that fine, but my mother's family, when they were all young, would decorate their tree on Christmas Eve just prior to Mass. I wish my family could continue that tradition.

[karissa]

I think this thread is amesome!! Almost everyone I know is focused on what they will receive or give to others for Christmas. Even the pastor at my parish seems more focused on gifts rather than anything else...

[jasJis]

Don't worry too much about what other people are doing or not doing for Christmas. Worry about what you are doing. The Church has a wonderful way to keep yourself focused. Don't just change what you normally do with your family. Add God to. Try reading the Scriptures for Advent before Sunday. You'll get much more out of the Liturgy of the Word during Mass.

I've posted the readings for the First Sunday of Advent in the "Word up!" phorum.

The reflection that goes with the readings is "The Necessity of Advent".

Check it out.

[Katt1227]

Schmandi-

I totally agree with you. Our society bombards us with Christmas and totally overlooks Advent. And Advent is such a beautiful time of reflection and anticipation that is truly sad to watch it get overlooked. As far as ways to be more "adventy", I'm not really sure. Our parish staff at school of which I'm sort of part of, being a student leader has an "Advent Angel" program in which we draw names at the beginning of the season and keep this person in our prayers as well as leave them small gifts to let them know they are being prayed for during this season. Then later in December, we hold a staff "Christmas" Party (yes we hold it during advent, but only because many of the students go home for Chrsitmas break so we have the party during finals week) in which our angels are revealed and gifts are exchanged. I have personally found it to be more rewarding than the typical gift exchange knowing that someone extra is praying for me during this busy season. (Yes, I'm aware that Advent hasn't relaly started yet, but it's really close).

So, that's one way that helps bring the focus of Advent back to prayer rather than the materialistic Christmas preparation that society tends to harp on us.

[cmotherofpirl]

Nothing was done until all the kids went to bed on Christmas Eve in any household.

Christmas reallly started on Christmas.

After I went to bed, the tree and all the decorating was done by my parents, aunts and uncles. When I got bigger and found out about Santa, I got to join in the fun. We would start at my uncle Paul's house and put all the toys together, and do all the decorating, then moved on to Uncle Eldy's house and repeat the process. We would finish up with all the stuff around 5 am and wearily trot off to bed.

Christmas was really Christmas back then.