Well, I'm going to take a shot at this subject, I guess just because it has come to have more meaning for me in the last number of years. And for the most part I enjoy observing in some way what these different seasons mean.
As I understand it Advent means "coming" or something close to that. It has come to mean anticipating the arrival of Jesus, first at his birth in Bethlehem, and also then for us the "parousia" or reappearance of Jesus at his "second coming." Advent is observed in many Christian churches on the four Sundays preceding December 25. Many and various ways are employed to show the eagerly anticipated birth of the Christ child. Usually in the activity an Advent wreath is included in which a candle is lit each Sunday, including the one the previous Sunday, with the "Christ candle" being lit on the Sunday following December 25. Advent songs are sung also which depict the hope for a special child to be born soon.
We all know what Christmas is don't we? The birth of Jesus, son of Mary and supposed son of Joseph. Christmas has become the time to gather with family, friends, and exchange gifts, many gifts sometimes, and wish one another a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Our society has used the Christmas season, so called, to foster the sale and purchase of "stuff" for the gift exchanges, and so much so that many business indicate that they would not make it were it not for the Christmas season. Some Christians call for "putting Christ back into Christmas," or some such thing, but it has become a lost cause. Some Christians also are fearful of losing the "right" to use the word "Christmas" in favor of "holidays," or the right to display anything hinting of "religion" in public places, thus secularizing the whole season. Actually I'm told that Christmas began as a secular holiday. I'm not sure of that but I would like to see us follow a bit of a different pattern of celebration than what most of the world does today, including most Christians. That would include recognition of the "season of Christmas" more commonly known as "The Twelve Days of Christmas."
The Twelve Days of Christmas are the days beginning on December 26 and concluding on January 6 with the Epiphany. Epiphany is a day for remembering the visit of the Wise Men (Magi) to Jesus. The giving of gifts which is observed around the world is usually done on December 25 as we know, but some folks are now shifting this time to January 6. Check out a couple of articles in The Mennonite, official paper of Mennonite Church USA. Agreeably this approach presents a lot of problems for families as they relate to other family, but I think it deserves some serious consideration at least.
Well, I haven't done a real good job with this subject, but I guess it will have to do for now. Perhaps more will appear in succeeding posts. As I observe this Christmas season I am doing some reflection, as well as some anticipation for the future. I don't know how God wants to use me for His purposes this coming year, but I will await His leading in that. Also, perhaps the parousia will occur soon, but I fear that many are not ready for that day. Will you be? Maranatha, even so come Lord Jesus.
Pilgrim on the way
1 comment:
Our fellowship traditionally has not made a big deal out of Christmas. But the church we now attend did a great job of bringing to mind the birth of the Christ Child and what it means for the creation.
For the first time in a long time, I enjoyed the season, at least as it pertained to the Christian celebration.
I'm still kind of a scrooge when it comes to what I'll say is the greed of the economic part of it.
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