Advent is under way, but I am not sure what I am supposed to be doing. Everything is so joyful outside of the Church, with lights and singing and cookies and decorations. But inside the Church, there is a sense of hesitation, of deliberate waiting. I’m not sure what that is all about.
Even the readings seem out of place. The first Sunday of Advent mentioned somewhat terrifying scenes and warnings about being ready for the coming of Christ, and admonitions against being caught off guard when the Lord suddenly returns. Most people come to Mass these days to be consoled by a message of hope and love; but how do these readings fit?
What is the true purpose of Advent, if not to celebrate the coming of Christ? Why does the Church lay out these strong, and somewhat difficult to hear, readings? Why are there penance services, and an emphasis on preparation, when we are simply remembering the birth of the gentle Lord? Even the Gospel for the feast of St. Nicholas is tough: “not everyone who says to Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven”!
If my children were paying attention to the readings, I think they would be really confused. After this focus during the Mass, we turn the radio on in the car and usually hear “Have a holly, jolly Christmas.” My question is, who is right? Why is the world the one with the message of joy, but the Church is the one with the message of warning?
But, now that I think of it, I remember seeing a lot of Christmas trees by the curb the day after Christmas. I’ll admit, that seems wrong. Why so fast to drop Christmas? And, yes, even the radio stations drop the Christmas music around the same time. I guess I should be fair and say the same thing here as I said above: I’m not sure what that’s all about.
I know what I would rather be doing, and that is not turning off the Christmas lights and music the very day after Christmas. And, on top of that, people then go rushing back to the stores for more sales. I am starting to see a connection: it seems that the world outside of the Church can’t sit still and wait. We start Christmas celebrations right after Thanksgiving, and end them as soon as Christmas Day passes. Then we run back to the same stores we were frantically running to before Christmas. Why can’t we sit still? Why no extended enjoyment of what is supposed to be the most glorious day in history?
I’ll admit, too, I am sort of tired of Christmas cookies by Christmas Day, maybe even Christmas Eve. I usually think, “OK, just a few more in honor of Christmas Day and then I’ve got to start cutting back, maybe even start my diet again.” But the Church wants us to start our feasting on Christmas Day, not finish it.
I get it; now I think I know what I’m supposed to be doing: watching and waiting, looking ahead and preparing, getting things ready, slowing down. Jesus is born in the still quiet of that cold, dark night. I need to be listening, and then I will rejoice at His coming!
Charles D. Fraune is founder of TheRetreatBox.com and author of “Come Away By Yourselves,” spiritual reading designed to teach busy Catholics how to achieve meaningful prayer in whatever time they have.