No 'Merry Christmas?'

Christmas in July? That's crazy! Anyone who observes the retail industry, even casually, will note that what was once unthinkable is not that unusual today. Every year it seems that Christmas decorations are laid out earlier and earlier. Having once worked in the retail trade, I understand the need to increase revenue. Basically, the retail motto is, "If it increases cash flow, do it!"

Even as I understand this trend, I am saddened that so many Christians are being caught up in this rush to "get to Christmas." Please don't misunderstand. I love the season of Christmas. However, this race to celebrate the birth of Christ without any thought of preparation (one might see this as instant gratification, which the baby-boomer generation, of which I am a part, began in earnest) is becoming increasingly rampant today. How many Christians are completely unaware of the glorious tradition in the church called Advent? How many churches are unacquainted with this practice, which has been part of the life of Christians around the world for over 1,500 years?

From historical records we can be quite certain that the season of Advent was practiced from, at least, the fifth century in Gaul (modern-day France). At this time it comprised six Sundays. Over time it was modified, and finally it was in Rome that the present practice of the four Sundays prior to Christmas became the norm.

The tradition of Advent (derived from the Latin meaning "coming") marked preparation for the coming of Christ in a double manner, first in his incarnation as the babe of Bethlehem and in his second coming at the end of time. As we move closer to Christmas, the figure of John the Baptist becomes more prominent. This is because it is he who is to prepare the way of the Lord.

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight (Matthew 3:1-3)'"

It is this preparation which is the theme of Advent. It focuses our eyes, mind and heart on why the coming of a Savior is so joyous: to take away sin!

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)!"

Unfortunately, the season of Advent is greatly misunderstood among Christians, even in churches where it is observed. Thomas Howard, himself an evangelical, makes some thoughtful comments about this season about which he was mostly ignorant for much of his early life.

"Advent as a season of penitence and self-examination...strikes newcomers as odd. Here we are approaching Christmas, and this is a penitential season? How bleak.... To me as an evangelical, the word penitence struck a false note at first. I visualized flagellants (people who whip themselves for religious purposes) trudging through the streets of Madrid, all hooded and chained and carrying crosses, in dread efforts to expiate their sins. I had always wanted to hail them with, 'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus!' But that darkness and fear is not the note struck by the word penitence in this context. Rather, Christians are encouraged to give sober thought to their lives, probing heart and motives, words and actions, attitudes and habits, in the spirit of Saint Paul's instructions in Romans 13:11,12 '...now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light (Evangelical is Not Enough, Thomas Howard)'"

As we look at the advertisements, we see a common theme embedded in most: "Don't wait! Buy it now!" Or "Don't deny yourself this (fill in the blank). You're worth it!" The sinful world, not to mention our sinful flesh, prizes this notion of instant gratification. It is something with which most of us, myself definitely included, probably struggle. That is why the season of Advent is so spiritually beneficial to the Christian. It disciplines us to take time to examine who we are and why we need this Savior so desperately. Because we are Christian, we believe Christ's words when he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance (Mark 2:17)."

It comes as no revelation that Christians, along with the unbelieving world, are living at an accelerated pace today. The hours in the day seem to get shorter every year. Our time is taken up with the busyness of life to such a point that we sometimes can't even catch our breath. If you have never taken time to prepare for the coming of our Lord through the season of Advent, I encourage you to do so. Yes, Christmas will come without doing so. However, I liken it to driving a car without tires, riding on the rims. You will be able to move forward, and you will get there, but the journey won't be the same. May the season of Advent be one of joyous preparation.

One of the most significant ways to prepare for the coming of the Babe of Bethlehem is to join with fellow believers in hearing his word. Over the past several decades there has been a major decline in attendance of midweek Advent (and Lent as well) services. Part of this is no doubt due to the harried schedules that most of us keep (as mentioned above). Perhaps it is also because we have no such tradition in our faith life; it was simply something that one was never exposed to as a child or young adult.

Allow me to encourage you to set the time aside for such preparation. Ask your heavenly Father to enable you, and your family (if applicable), to gather around our Lord's precious word during this special time in the life of the church. It is my hope and prayer that you will be greatly strengthened as we wait and watch for our Lord.

THE REV. RICK PETTEY is pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Gravelton and Trinity Lutheran Church in Fredericktown. He can be reached by calling (573) 783-2405 or emailing to sthilary@trinityfredericktown.net.