Advent

We are enjoying our Advent activities. It is a wonderful time to remember the years and years (and years) of waiting for God to keep His promise to come into His creation, to set things aright. We have a wonderful gift, the Bible, to plainly read all of the prophecies that have been fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ, and so the joy of Christmas is deep.

We live in a time of Advent again, waiting for the Lord to return and to finally restore ALL things. Judgment is coming but scoffers and mockers rule the day even as they participate in singing Christian hymns of the season in the midst of their shopping. If I were more bold, I would ask, “What are you celebrating? Why? Do you even hear the words you are singing?” I am a weakling, however, in this; rolled eyeballs and disdain just taint my Christmas mood (and it is, after all, all about MY mood). So I lamely smile at all of the “Happy Holidays!” and buy myself a tepid sense of hope that someday, somehow, that despite me they would truly understand and rejoice in how good a God the Father was in sending His Son to save them from their every sin.

At home, I waver between cynicism over the materialism and commercialization of the HOLYday, and the overwhelming utter peace and joy that God my Savior came for me before I even was. I am so thankful. So, we’ve decorated for the birthday party…

…and chopped down an evergreen tree to remind us of two other important trees: the testing ground that brought our downfall, and the other one that was used to buy our redemption from it.

Our Advent calendar is full of Scripture, names of people we love to pray for, and an activity to do, whether for our instruction (a rice fast) or for our entertainment (making candy canes).

We remember that Advent, while busy, is really about the waiting. And if we do not believe Him who is faithful in all things, waiting and praying and hoping sounds trite and pointless. And for what? Is the season really all about one day of marketing madness? Or for finding the *star* within you? Or for goodwill towards others? That is almost laughable, for outward goodwill hardly reveals other than inward true sentiment, and if you’re a selfish sinner (is there any other kind?) then even your good works condemn your intentions.

Sometimes it gets weary, beloved, to remain steadfast in the currents of heavy-handed doses of morality, political correctness, and “happy holidays”. However, the remnant remains, the narrow road hasn’t widened, and still the faithful who continue to watch and pray, to wait for His coming, will not be ashamed when at last He comes again. There is reason to be merry, indeed.