My Advent Advice

Advent is for those who hear the word annually in some setting still heavily intertwined with the rat race of Christmas shopping and Christmas dinner. For me, having attended an Episcopalian college prepatory school from 4th grade through my senior year, the idea of Advent consists of a calendar with tasty candy behind every punched hole. I cannot recall anything of substance being said. But now as a pastor seeking to plant a church, I am able to taste and see so much more.

It is not enough to have all the right answers about advent, where to find it in the Bible, tracing its every touchpoint, etc. What people need is practice! Not a game; not a game; we talking practice.

Due to the hurry experienced every Christmas season, it's easy to find ourselves in chaos at every turn from traffic, grocery stores, department stores, and internet deals. Shame and anxiety are never too far behind. Advent is calling us to practice finding silence in this season of noise. As we find silence, we get to experience solace and sanity. We can find time to hear from God as He speaks to our anxiety.

Christmas is often emphasized as a time to be greedy. It's alright because the church and society gave it the green light a long time ago. Heavy hint-dropping and no desire to look at our bank accounts are never too far behind. We have learned that the right gift can result in an overwhelming right reaction, and who doesn't want the right reaction. Advent is calling us to practice being generous in this season of noise and greed. As we are generous, we get to experience mimicking our Lord by finding big and small ways to put others first with some of our most precious resources.

This is my two cents of advent advice. Jubilee is described as bringing liberty in both testaments (Deut 15 and Luke 4). Practicing silence to hear from God and generosity to mimic Jesus should also bring forth liberty. Now go enjoy practice as we wait for the real game once he returns.