Preparing for Christmas

Every year more and more of my neighbors have their Christmas decorations up on November 1. I understand the impulse. The older I get, the more this fallen world wears on me, the more I look forward to the hope and joy of the Christmas season. But every year we also hear more people complain about the struggle to "get in the Christmas spirit" or to "keep the Christ in Christmas." I'm becoming increasingly convinced that the best way to get the most out of Christmas, to get into the spirit of Christmas, and to keep Christ in Christmas can be summed up in one word: Advent.

My family didn't observe Advent. I grew up Baptist in a small town where most people went to a low church tradition. I don't think I even heard the word until I was a teenager, and then it just sounded like one more strange Catholic tradition. When I learned a little more about Advent, it seemed mostly about candles and calendars and the less cheerful Christmas songs. As I've learned more about what it really is, though, I've come to appreciate the tradition.

Advent puts us in a mindset similar to those who were waiting expectantly for the Messiah before the birth of Christ. They knew what God had promised through the prophets: a king who would heal Israel, lead them in righteousness, and bring all nations to worship the God of Abraham. As pagans ruled over them and things seemed to go from bad to worse, they were longing for the coming of the promised Messiah.

The Messiah came. He provided the salvation we needed. He was "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32). Then he left.

Now we wait for him to finish what he started. During his ministry God's kingdom broke in; we long for his kingdom to take over. Christ provided the cure for sin, but we wait expectantly for the day when he will destroy it.

In Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ, Fleming Rutledge said, "Of all the seasons of the church year, Advent most closely mirrors the daily lives of Christians and of the church, asks the most important ethical questions, presents the most accurate picture of the human condition, and above all, orients us to the future of the God who will come again." Advent focuses on the return of Christ, and that helps us celebrate the birth of Christ.

It seems like more evangelicals are embracing Advent lately. Rutledge even says, "Increasingly, and rightly, the Advent season is being described as a seven-week period, beginning after All Saints’ Day." But much of the "Advent" material out there isn't. Those 25-day devotionals that begin at the manger are missing a lot of what Advent has historically pointed towards.

If you want to buy an Advent devotional, I urge you to look for one that tries to help you build that sense of expectation, preferably one that helps you reflect on Christ's two Advents, the one we celebrate and the one we await.

Or you can use appropriate scripture readings in your own devotions. You could get a copy of the Book of Common Prayer, which among other things will include a preaching lectionary and a "daily office" lectionary, both of which will point out appropriate readings for this season. You can also find these things online (here's one example). Yes, this an Anglican thing. No, I'm not Anglican. We shouldn't be afraid to learn from things other faith traditions do well, and their lectionary provides excellent readings for the season.

None of us wants to add one more burden to the busy month of December, but whatever you can do to help yourself focus on and long for the coming of Christ will enrich the Christmas season for you.


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