Advent: A Time of Preparation

Dear Friends,

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Here we are in the season of Advent: A time when Christians prepare for and remember the real meaning of Christmas. It’s also a time for the annual debate over how retailers can effectively increase sales volume without offending anyone who may have a hyper-sensitivity to the words “Jesus” or “Christ.”

To Walmart
If “Happy Holidays” seems right and makes your lawyers smile,
It’s not my place to criticize, as I walk down your isle.
Yet, as I give my credit card and start to walk away
Accept my “Merry Christmas – and have a Christ-filled Day.”

I used to be bothered when a salesclerk would say, “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” Now, rather than vent, I seek ways to make Advent a time of preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth.

Advent Habit #1: Discover quiet time by starting an “electronics fast.” Set a specific time period each day when you commit to turning off your computer, your phone, and your television (especially the news). Use that quiet time to read your Bible or an inspirational book, such as The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren or Because of Bethlehem by Max Lucado.

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”  Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

Advent Habit #2: Listen to the words. We all love the melodies of Christmas carols, but they are much more than elevator music. The words tell the story of the birth of our Savior. The poems that lie beneath the melodies of “Oh, Holy Night” or “Mary Did You Know?” serve to remind us what a blessed time this is.

Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises! Psalm 47:6

Advent Habit #3: Give Jesus a gift. The Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse, and Toys for Tots are just a few of the charities serving our communities.

Advent Habit #4: Show your love. Yes, there will be crowds. Yes, people will be impatient, and yes, there will be at least one salesclerk who will rub your last raw nerve. We show our love by how we act and by how we react.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy …” 1 Corinthians 13:4

In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul wrote, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The pattern of the world is to strip Christ out of Christmas. We can help put Christ back in Christmas by putting more of Him in us.

Blessings,
Your Friend in Christ