The Adventure of Advent – The Journey vs. the Destination

There is an old saying, attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, that goes something like this

Life is a journey and not a destination

Ralph Waldo Emerson

There is some incredible truth revealed here that should also be applied to our understanding of Christmas.

Christmas for me and my family looks like a hectic mess! This year, we began Christmas preparations the day before Thanksgiving when I put up the Christmas lights outside. The reason behind doing this so early was to share in the joy that these festivities bring to young children. We hosted another family who has four young children for Thanksgiving. Their family, combined with ours made for 13 folks in our house. We had a fabulous time together, but there is just so much work and preparation that goes into hosting a party that it almost is not worth it. Don’t get me wrong, I am not a scrooge by any means, but getting ready for a celebration requires work!

Christmas can be a lot like work for me. The stress that comes with Christmas presents is almost enough by itself. There is so much pressure to be creative and thoughtful with presents. Having young children doesn’t make it any easier. My two and a half year old triplet girls love unwrapping presents and have absolutely loved the Christmas decorations this year. It makes it worth it for sure, but it is difficult.

This stress is combined with the busyness of the calendar, since I simultaneously prepare for finals for my masters degree while performing two parts for my church’s Christmas Drama production.

Busyness, stress, and pressure are the words I would use to describe my preparations for Christmas so far this year. The one shining moment is that it is all over and done with about two weeks before Christmas. The rush and busyness come to a halt in a week when my last final is completed for this semester.

The busyness of this season points to one thing…the destination of Christmas. We spend so much time going and doing for this one day, that we forget what this time of year is really all about.

Advent is about the Adventure

Advent Candles

This season on the church calendar is called Advent. Put simply, Advent is an adventure towards Christmas. While Christmas is the destination, Advent provides the journey to get there. Through Advent, we are reminded of the love, joy, hope, and peace that are required but often completely absent from our lives in this time.

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:10-12)

What we really need is to step back at least for just a minute and see that the real preparation and transformation of Christmas happens in the journey and active waiting of Advent.

Many churches and Christian communities practice different rituals as a part of the Advent season. These practices are helpful in that they help us to realize that there is something to be gained in this often hectic season.

We also have rituals that we do with our family. Our girls create Christmas ornaments that tell the story of Jesus’ birth, for instance. We do these things to orientate our lives towards the reality that Jesus has come to this earth as the savior! Through Advent, we also anticipate the second coming of Jesus back into the world.

My hope for my family is that we breath, rest, and realize that there is hope, joy, peace, and love to be found through this Advent and Christmas season. May you be blessed as well!

Taking up My Cross and Following after Him,

+Bobby

Plans

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare^[b] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)