rushing Christmas

Okay, so there's something that is really bugging me. Is it just me or are we really rushing Christmas? Just a few weeks ago, I was mortified when Isabella, after having just purchased her Halloween costume, asked me why there were Christmas trees up in Wal-Mart. I looked at her, with the same bewildered look she was offering me, and said, "Honey, it's mass consumerism at its best and they are trying to make a buck off of Jesus."

Each year, it seems that society pulls Christmas earlier and earlier into the year. It's not at all out of the ordinary to see Christmas advertising well before Thanksgiving. One radio station in Charleston has already traded their typical rock repertoire for nonstop "holiday hits." Mall Santa Clauses are making their debuts well before the turkey and dressing hit the table. Many retailers, trying to combat a weak economy, are offering "Black Friday" sales every weekend now. If it were up to us, Jesus would be a preemie!

While my response to Isabella's question was probably over her head, it was my gut response to the corruption of one of Christianity's most sacred celebrations. Naturally, not everyone celebrates the Christian message during Christmas. Not everyone understands or believes the nativity story. But what about those of us who do? How can those of us who believe the Christmas story really is about God's great love in sending a Son to us - not about going in debt to give better gifts and throw better parties - how can we live out our beliefs?

What about the way we invest our money and time? Last year, for instance, Tara and I decided to purchase only a small gift for our parents and then make donations to charitable organizations in their honor. The charities we gave to both provide gifts, food, and clothing to orphaned and vulnerable children. In this way, we were able to still arrive to the family Christmas celebrations with a token of our love and appreciation, but the greatest part of the gift was given so that others could celebrate the joy of being loved, too. That's not spending; that's investing.

Another way that my household rallies against the premature celebration of Christmas is to not put up the decorations in the house until after Thanksgiving. It seems kind of strange to me to be sitting at Thanksgiving dinner with Christmas decorations staring at me, rushing me to finish that turkey drumstick and move on to the next holiday. Are we so busy that we can't take our holidays one at a time?

After having gone through this recent illness and nearly losing my life, I have a different perspective this holiday season. I don't want a busy, hectic, hair-pulling holiday season. I don't want to hustle from one event to the next. I want to slow down and enjoy the beauty of faith, family, friends, and festivities. I want to be in the moment, "here and now." I don't want to rushed and I don't think Jesus wants to be rushed either.

More than that, I want to fully prepare for Christmas by celebrating Advent, literally meaning "coming." Advent is the Christian season of preparing for the coming of the Christ. We prepare our hearts, our minds, our homes, our all. When we slow down enough to really be in the moment, to really prepare for the great Christmas season (which technically doesn't even begin until December 25), we can be all the more attentive to the gifts of God: both the Christmas Christ Child and the every day blessings of family and friends.

So, fellow Christians, I dare you to join me. Don't rush ahead. Put those decorations away for just a few more days. Give gifts from the heart that will truly change lives. Prepare the way of the Lord. Then we'll be blessed with a very Merry Christmas...at the right time!!!