Happy Advent!

It is that time of year. It's the time of year when everyone is supposed to be happy and jolly, when you are supposed to wear lots of red sweaters and jingle bells, and when you are supposed to set your radio to the all-day "Christmas" music channel. In reality, "Christmas" music has been playing in stores and restaurants for weeks now. After a lunch in a local restaurant where I had to listen to "Here Comes Santa Claus" two weeks before Thanksgiving, I decided that perhaps I should not go out to eat until after Thanksgiving.

The irony of this season is so thick, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

This last Sunday, we began the holy season of ADVENT. Yes, that's right. It is not Christmas, it is Advent. Advent is a word that from the Latin adventus, which means "coming." The season of Advent spans the four weeks leading up to Christ's birth on Christmas day. During these weeks, we proclaim the comings of Christ, how he came to this world born to a poor family, how he comes continually in our midst through the Holy Spirit, and how he will come again one day. We spend these four weeks preparing, not for a big man in a red suit, but for Jesus, who is Emmanuel, God with us. Believe me, that is MUCH better news!!!

So, Happy Advent! If you want to spread some good news, go around and greet people with these words. Happy Advent! Jesus is coming! God is with us! People might look at you funny. People might tell you that you are taking Christ out of Christmas. If that happens, take a deep breath, say a prayer, smile, and share the good news of the advent of Jesus. I would love to hear your stories about what happens as you share!

Don't worry...Christmas will come in a few weeks! There will be a time to sing carols and celebrate Christmas. But for now, pray, reflect, meditate, and enjoy the anticipation of God's mighty acts in our midst!