Advent 2018 Season Begins Sunday, December 2, 2018

The Christmas season is upon us, and everywhere you go there are signs that point us to December 25th. Street corners are already dotted with Christmas Tree sales, radio stations are playing Christmas Carol's and every aisle of stores we visit are decked with all things Christmas. But do you find that all this promotion is happening sooner and sooner? While this is happening, do you sense there's an anticipation for things and a feeling of sorts- "Christmas feeling", rather than the long-lasting and heart altering realities of the gift we received and are still desperately in need if daily, that is, Christ with us-Emmanuel come!

Every year for the last several years,  our Thanksgiving celebrations have had a commercial abbreviation calling families from the dinner tables to shopping malls and centers with a grand promise of scoring the best prices on the latest electronics and trending clothing styles, etc. 

Can't stop it, so join it? ...NOT SO FAST!

Truth be told, we all have been enticed by bargains and elaborate price slashing techniques utilized by our favorite retailers, so no condemnation here; however,  there is a subtle danger (not new, has always been there) that is unintentionally schemed  and inadvertently robs us of the richness, awe, and delight of Christmas --- it's  true , mysterious and glorious implications that should be the priority of our hearts.

So, how do we punctuate the frenzy of the holidays, that is so commercialized and self-focused with meaning for ourselves and others? Well, we will need to check our own hearts and motives in light of "Why and Who" the season is really about. I have found that once this truth was firmly established in my heart, my mind felt compelled to seek out ways to bring the my celebration of Christmas (which included my shopping practices and gift-giving, which I totally love doing)  in alignment with the "who" was this season about (Christ), and how I'd do my part in conveying the heart of the story, or God's plan (John 3:16) to my family and others.  After searching and researching, we found using the tried and true practice of ADVENT, as a wonderful tool, now a tradition, it firmed up our focus, recentered our expectations, and breathed life into our worship of God who John 3:16 us!

With well over a decade of intentionally building speed bumps in the period between Thanksgiving Day - December 25, our family has found rich and delightful joys and treasure in Christ, each other and friends who often come to join us during the season. 

Yes, on Christmas Day under our tree are gifts- surprises big and small; however,  as each gift is opened, we know in our hearts that we are modeling what God did for us...he loved us so much that he gave us the gift of his son as a babe in a Manager,  and this son, would later gift us eternal life by dying for us on the CROSS.

Are you growing feverishly tired of the pressure to consume and add more stuff to family and friends treasure troves? Do you feel pressured to keep up with expectations of gift-giving even if it will burst your budget? Is the meaning if the season a priority in your home? If you have children, how do they define or interpret Christmas?

If answering any or all of these questions bring about a challenge to your spirit, that is, you sense a need to evaluate and recenter your holiday practices, then there is no time like to present to stop, pray and seek the Lord about how he wants you and your family to live out the truths of Christmas.