Advent

In and earlier post I had said that Christmas is not until December 25th. I thought I should elaborate.

We have essentially been celebrating Christmas for a few weeks now. I used to really enjoy this time of year, going to Christmas parties, etc.

But a few years ago it began dawning on me that I was jumping the gun. During the season of Advent, it is more appropriate to anticipate Christmas than actually celebrate it.

How might I anticipate Christmas? As the carol says, "let every heart prepare Him room." Or, as John the Baptist put it, "Make straight the way of the Lord." At one time, Advent was observed as Lent is (or was) observed before Easter, as a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In fact, the time before Easter was known as "Great Lent", to distinguish it from the "smaller" lent before Christmas.

So perhaps I can anticipate Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, by making room for Him in my heart by putting aside the things that take up that space, starting with my own self! This can be done quite effectively by giving up what "I" want, by praying, fasting, and almsgiving. Think of others first, do for others first, not forgetting that Other Who put me here in the first place!

I still have a long way to go - but the way forward seems worth the effort!