An Advent Meditation: Sunday, December 14

"It's That Time Of Year...."

My favorite season of the entire year has begun; and I thought it time for me to say why, and to describe how John and I like to celebrate this December time.

The dictionary defines the lower-case "advent" as "a coming into being." That's how I think of this time of honoring of Christ's birth: it is a celebration of The Ground of Being coming into being in our full humanity. To love completely, one must understand as completely as possible, I believe; and Jesus is the embodiment of that love of our God that longed to understand creation by full participation in it, in order to so love us. Jesus certainly did walk many a mile in our moccasins, and that last mile, up the hill toward Calvary, must have required more love than I think I could call up.

Anyway, when we lived in southern Germany, I learned to love many of the customs those jolly Bavarians like to keep around this time of year: lots of candles to brighten the home as the days turn darkest; festive, spicy cookies and other baked goods to scent the air and tickle the palate; hot chocolate around the fireside; and special observances in homes, concert halls, and churches on the four weekends preceding the Big Day.

On Christmas Eve morning, we'll keep our tradition of attending virtual Vespers, the beloved "Carols From Kings College, Cambridge", via the magic of the blessed BBC and NPR airwaves, as we sip hot cocoa by the fire in our PJ's – the easiest and loveliest "church service" you could ever imagine!

And from our Catholic childhood roots, we keep the Advent Wreath tradition. So on the Sunday evenings in December, we have our own private little home liturgy. We take turns lighting the next of the four candles around the evergreen wreath and trade off readings from Scripture or from more modern sources (poetry, thoughtful essays, books about the season's religious or social-justice connotations). It's a beautiful way to help us keep the Sabbath holy – a custom that has gone the way of so many good ones in modern times.

Let me add a bit more about that last comment. For much of the year, we are the first among sinners, if not keeping the Sabbath is a sin; but when we do remind ourselves, as we most often do at this Advent time at least, of how important it is – not for God, but for us, who need the R & R (relaxation and renewal) – we are always grateful to observe the day. When we can manage our time so that we don't have to go out shopping, or do heavy work around the house, or do worry-work on the computer – today, for instance – we find the blessed time for what is really most important about life: visiting with friends, reading, doing a little spiritual journaling, even just sitting and gazing into the fire.

AH, well do I remember all the hysteria of planning, shopping, baking, wrapping, card-sending, and visits to Santa that accompanied us throughout the years when all the children were little; and I know that for young parents, it just isn't very possible to set aside a whole day for peace. Or is it? After all, the truly orthodox Jews keep Sabbath holy, no matter what else is on their daily plates. At least, everyone could try to find some patch of time on Sunday – even for a couple of hours before or after dinner – when the whole household could come to a halt with the Christmas preparations, homework, and chores, and just be together in some comfort. It's worth a try, I think.

We try to have something a little more festive in the way of Sunday dinner during December, too: a fine old-fashioned pot roast, maybe – or as tonight, some baked curried chicken with rice, and roasted cauliflower.

Finally, I am so happy to note that some of our progeny have taken to heart and custom our own efforts to be mindful of all those who don't have the blessings and good fortune that have come our own way. Giving donations to agencies that help the poor; taking time to help feed or clothe the needy in the community; working for peace and justice in many ways; these are the truest and most important gifts of the season.

The older I've gotten, the more I've come to realize that what Francis, the poor and humble man from Assisi, said is really true: it is in giving that we receive. As my grandchildren grow up, I know they will learn this from the example of their parents and will come to integrate it into their lives, enriching not only those to whom they give their time, talents and treasure, but immensely enriching their own lives.

I think that all of life is Waiting; Advent just reminds me more vividly that our hearts were made for God, and will be ever restless until we rest in his eternal love and peace.