Dear Folks,
Christmas never sneaks up on me. Every year just after Christmas I reflect a little, make note of a few lessons learned and determine that next year I will endeavour to approach Christmas in a different way. I usually have 360 days, plus or minus, to begin my new approach for the next Christmas. My behaviour, however, seldom changes. I blame it “for sneaking up on me”. But Christmas is not an “it”. It does not “sneak”. When I talk like that I am in serious need of a mental shakeup, but nevertheless, our attitude towards Christmas and it spiritual opportunities is often a metaphor of how we spiritually engage much of the rest of our life and faith.
So today I am giving myself, and you, a reminder that it is two weeks before advent. I do this because I want the advent of the Christmas season to be different for you and me this year. If you can benefit from observing my own attempt at this new behaviour, then so much the better. We can all learn from attempting new spiritual disciplines.
I have three brief sections to this newsletter. First of all on a personal note, things that I have learned from the past and hope to put into practice this year. Secondly, what Christmas is meant to be for a Christian and thirdly, some links and aids to doing Christmas in a healthy way.
Part I: Things I Hope I Have Learned
- While Christmas may be more about giving than receiving, it is certainly not about consuming as much as we do.
- I hope to spend less on myself and less on those who do not need it (my wife Kerry is far more balanced in this than I am).
- I will try to sign up for a local charity’s Christmas Dinner on December 10th (by the way, I never understand why Christmas dinners aren’t on Christmas Day).
- I intend to plan some of those conspicuous Christmas acts of charity in the first quarter of next year, instead of joining the rush to be charitable just in December.
- There is a little slogan from the BC lottery association that says, “Know your limit, Play within it”. It is a meaningless attempt on their part to attempt to be socially responsible. I think I’ve attempted to be funny in previous years on Christmas day by saying, “know your limit, EAT within it” I think I’m being funny. I am not. So many in the Christian church are proud of what they don’t do while forgetting the carnage of consumerism and gluttony that are incredibly destructive. The misuse of food is destructive in my life, not just on Christmas day, but also for the whole season. I’m going to eat considerably less this year, and the Lord being my helper, be able to tell you the effort paid off.
- I am praying that I will be open to being spontaneous in my generosity, kindness and thoughtfulness whether it is by card or in any other form. I will make an effort this year to take far more time in connecting with those I care about rather than doing it in the rushed, careless, and cursory fashion I have done in the past.
Part 2: What Christmas Is
- Advent, which begins on November 27, is the first Sunday of preparation for the season marking the coming of the Christ child.
- Advent marks the beginning of the Christian year, (not January 1) so it is time to prepare to make resolutions and to seek God’s strength in keeping them.
- Advent opens up a time of reflection and preparation that truly allows us to be counter to the culture we live in.
Part 3: Links or Aids
- Carey Hall has an excellent online advent devotional
- Register online HERE or email institute@carey-edu.ca.
- More information at www.carey-edu.ca/institute
- Regent Bookstore carries an Advent Reader for $8.95, or save 20% if you pick it up in store.
- Kitsilano Community Church will have a series of reflections online at the beginning of Advent, http://www.kitschurch.com/
Peace of the Lord be with you this day, this season, and always.
Amen
Warmly,
In Christ,
Jeremy