Together on the Journey: A Weekly Blog from Fr. Andrew Sheldon
Christmas, the Grinch that stole Advent!
I call it Advent Angst. It’s the feeling I get each December when Christmas overtakes all things and we lose the beauty of this waiting, wondering season of Advent. Santa Claus has already come to town, the party season has started, carols are playing in the stores and on the radio, and the TV specials are in full force. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Yes, Christmas as it is celebrated in 2024 has arrived: on our airwaves, in our community, in our social lives, and on our shopping lists. And in spite of my angst, I can live with this, and to some extent embrace it. Indeed, Amy and I will be decking our halls this year much earlier that we usually do, and I will willingly and happily head off to any Christmas do we are invited to. It’s Christmas time in the city, and I live in the city.
But it’s Advent in the church. A time of waiting, of anticipation, of getting ready to encounter the mystery of Christmas. In church, we will sing the many beautiful Advent hymns and listen to the Advent anthems. We will hear and reflect on scripture readings that focus on the One who has come, will come, and is coming. As the days shorten and the darkness increases, we will light candles of hope. We will hold off as long as we can until that silent and holy night that begins the 12 days of celebrating the birth of the One who gives us life.
And so, I encourage you to also find ways to observe Advent in your lives. As in Lent, you may want to take up a discipline – December is no time for giving up! The Diocese of Toronto is doing an online study with the Bishops that you may want to attend. You may want to join the brothers of The Society of St John the Evangelist for Compline each evening, or simply set aside some time to be still, contemplate, and pray in the midst of the busyness.
Have a blessed Advent, my friends.
Andrew +