Just think- tomorrow is New Year's Eve! Where has the year gone?
Yes, the new year 2013 begins at sundown tomorrow.
No. I'm not missing a page on my calendar. December 2, 2012 is the First Sunday of Advent, it is the Christian Liturgical New Year!
One of the most difficult parts of being a Christian is being IN the world, and not OF the world. One year, I wanted to emphasize this to the religious education children by having a New Year's party on the First Sunday of Advent. Alas, I could find no New Year's party props- the retailers told me it was to early. They kinda made my point for me.
So, as you go about your holiday preparations, remember this: we are not in the Christmas season, despite what Elder Beerman, Macy's and Wal-Mart profess in their ads. Christmas season does not begin until sundown on December 24.
We are in Advent. And when you go to Mass this weekend and the three following, you will notice- there are no poinsettias, no trees. In fact- most churches will be rather bare....save some purple decorations.
Purple? Isn't purple the color for Lent?
Yep. It sure is. Purple is the color for Lent and Advent for the same reason: purple is the liturgical color that calls us to penitence. (That is why Father wears a purple stole when he hears confessions)
Advent is not Christmas- please don't confuse the two. If you do, you run the risk of missing out on the treasure of Advent. It is imperative that we as Christians never forget that the wood of the crib is inextricably tied to the wood of the cross. Advent is the time for us to recall why Jesus had to be born in the first place: to die on the cross...because of our sins. Your sins. My sins. He was born to die for us.
So, this Advent season, take advantage of the opportunities your parish gives you for reflection and repentance. Try to go to at least one or two events- your parish staff works hard to bring them to you. If your parish doesn't offer Advent opportunities, 1. Shame on them and 2. Check other local parishes. And stay tuned to this station... I hope I will be able to enrich the season for you!
Especially if you have young children, try not to decorate too much too soon. Take the opportunity to teach them- Christmas doesn't come until 12/24. Save the decorating for later in Advent. If you must put up the tree early ( as I do...but that's another story for another day...), make a point of not plugging it in this early. ( I was actually criticized by a member of our parish for not decorating the hall where we held classes. I told the woman that I would not decorate because we were through with classes before Christmas came, and didn't re-start until Christmas season was over. She thought I was a terrible person :-) )
A good old-fashioned Advent Calendar ( preferably a religious one) is wonderful to help children anticipate the big day.
Go ahead and put out the creche (but leave baby Jesus out until Christmas Eve). It is a wonderful tradition to have the children put a piece of straw in the manger when they do some good or kind deed. I did this with the children in my religious ed program- we had strips of paper on which they wrote their kind actions and we placed them in the manger each week... then when the Baby Jesus was placed in the manger Christmas Eve, it was overflowing with the things we had done to prepare out hearts for him.
Because that is really what Advent is all about. You see- the Mayans may or may not be right about the world ending 12/21/12... but the point is that Christ is coming. Soon. It may not be his second coming- it may be him taking us to our judgement.
We must live each day of our lives with our hearts ready.
Is yours?
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