Disciples, Apostles, and Saints!
If you’ve been around a liturgical church awhile, you know that Advent is the season which precedes Christmas. And that the Christmas Season begins on Christmas Day and continues through twelfth night, the eve of the Epiphany.
For many, reclaiming the beauty, hope, and devotion found in Advent is deeply countercultural. While everyone is singing Christmas carols, we’re preparing for the coming of Christ.
Someone recently pointed out that our personal boycotts do nothing. And perceived negativity wins no converts. In fact, other than “tradition,” what is the positive, hopeful, or effective vision we offer people to actually embrace the Advent season?
I was struck by how this question nailed my experience—of both pitting Advent against Christmas and acting like my own protestations sound to others like anything but “bah, humbug!”
So what is beautiful about Advent? I think it begins with understanding that it isn’t about preparing for Christmas, but the advent of the dream of God. We prepare for the light that is breaking into the world. To change everything.
Accepting that people are eager for Christmas joy, our inviting one another to prepare for miracles and realizing hopes for the world: that’s a captivating ask.
Join us in making that joy permanent. That’s what we’re up to.
With love,
Drew