Hijacked!

Today is the First Sunday of Advent, the preparation period before the birth of our Lord on Christmas.  It's also the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, so for even the biggest holiday stickler, it's OK to jump into Christmas decorating.  Goodness knows, I've seen a lot of trees on top of cars already.

At this time of year, the complaining begins about how secular Christmas has become.  You may think that's my theme with the title "Hijacked!".  No, I just don't see it that way.  This time of year has certainly been "hijacked," but it's Christ that has hijacked secular society, not the other way around.

By its very name, Christmas is about Christ.  Most people are well aware that it is the celebration of the birth of Christ.  It's the only religious holiday that is universally celebrated, not only by people of faith, but all people.  But isn't it too commercial? Maybe, but considering it is a day of family, decorating and gift giving, that's to be expected.  It is a birthday celebration.

Here's where Christ "hijacks" the secular holiday.  In addition to the universal celebration, gift giving and family time, everyone expresses the desire that the season bring goodwill and peace on earth.  That's EXACTLY what Christ brings: "Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more."  Psalm 72: 7.  Don't let anyone tell you it's a secular holiday or is somehow based on a pagan celebration.  Regardless of the date, Christmas is the celebration of the coming of the light of the world, Jesus Christ, and He brings justice and peace.

As you go through the business of the "holiday season," just smile when you see how God has invaded the daily life of the world.  Use the time you spend decorating, or buying gifts or addressing Christmas cards and incorporate your preparation for the coming of Christ - say a prayer, show kindness to others and don't forget the less fortunate  It is possible to bring Christ into your daily life.

Enjoy the anticipation and get ready for the celebration.

CC

Advent Calendar - Day 12

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of Mexico.  Several days ago on the feast of St. Juan Diego I offered the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Our Lady of Guadalupe pray for us!

One of the things about Advent that confuses me is whether it is supposed to be a time of penance like Lent or a time of joyful anticipation.  I have heard both.  Our friends at The Catholic Underground call Advent "Lent Lite."  I like that.  On one hand the Church uses purple liturgical garments and that is the color of Lent and penance.  On the other hand, the time before Christmas is joyful - we are waiting for the coming of the King.  It is a little difficult to know which way we are supposed to go.

I do know that the euphoria of secular Christmas is NOT the way to go.  Continuous Christmas music begins on Thanksgiving and store decorations are put up on November 1 after Halloween comes down.  Everyone has parties, puts up a Christmas tree and sends out cards before Christmas.  It's a manic celebration that lasts the entire month of December.  Worse yet, it drives me crazy when I hear about people who push back from the table after Christmas dinner and proceed to take down their Christmas decorations.  The party's over - Christmas has arrived.

Where is the waiting and watching?  Christ was born once, rose once and will come back one more time.  The rest of the time in salvation history has been spent waiting - looking skyward, praying Maranatha (which can mean "Come Lord Jesus!" or "Our Lord Has Come!").  It seems like Advent should better represent that - the proper way to wait.  The patient way to wait.  The humble way to wait.  We should prepare ourselves - not just by decorating, buying gifts and going to parties - but by personal reflection and prayer.  That sounds so rational - but gosh it's hard when everything around you is in party or hustle mode!

So I think Advent should be reverent, humble and joyful anticipation of the coming of Jesus Christ, whether celebrating his birth or looking forward to his return.  I think it's a little like cleaning your house before the guest arrives.  Cleaning is no fun and hard work, but doing it in anticipation of a long-awaited visit makes it a lot more joyful and exciting.

So when my Christmas cards and gifts are late or I never get around to having a party before Christmas, I say good riddance - people are more likely to notice my card or gift after Christmas and goodness knows their calendars will be more open!

CC

Advent Calendar Day 2 - A Message from the Catholic Church

Well, it's not exactly an official message, but it sure is a nice video to get you warmed up for waiting for the Guest to arrive.

My kids have Hershey kisses included in their Advent Calendar - sorry there are limitations to the internet.

CC

When Does Christmas End?

I know many (most?) people have packed the Christmas decorations away, some as early as Christmas night.  I'm still sitting here looking at our Christmas tree and all the assorted decorations around the house.  I would like to say I have some liturgical or traditional reason for that, but the truth is we just haven't had the time.  Unfortunately, it looks like the decorations will stay up until next weekend.

In order to hang my liturgical or traditional hat on something to justify this lack of Christmas closure, I looked into when the Church officially "ends" Christmas.  This may sound strange to many - doesn't Christmas end on December 25?  To that I can emphatically say no.  Like other liturgical holidays (Easter and Pentecost), the celebration doesn't end on the day, but at a minimum extends through the octave (a week after the holy day).  O.K., that should take us to January 1, right?  Well, not exactly.

Most Catholics and many Protestants extend Christmas through Epiphany.  After all, if the wise men show up to bring baby Jesus gifts, how will they find Him if the nativity scene is packed away?  That is why many Catholics wait until Epiphany to pack the Christmas stuff away for another year.

That still doesn't give my family a leg to stand on with regard to why our tree is still in the living room (other than the obvious laziness).  I'm going with Candlemas as my next Christmas season ending date. Celebrated on February 2, Candlemas is also called Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple or the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  It celebrates the first introduction to Jesus in the Temple.  According to Mosaic law, a woman only could enter the temple for ritual purification 40 days after her male child was born.  This was also the same time the child would be "presented" in the Temple.  For Jesus, this presentation was met by old Simeon and the prophetess Anna.  Luke 2:29.  Simeon had long waited for the coming of the Messiah and recognized Jesus as that person.  Holding the baby, he praised God saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel"  Luke 2:29-32.  We call this the Nunc Dimittis.

One liturgical tradition for February 2 is the blessing of the candles.  According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the priest would bless the candles (always beeswax) and then hand them out to the congregation who would process through the church (or outside) to represent the light of Christ entering the temple.  This would be accompanied by the choir singing "Nunc Dimittis" and other hymns praising the Virgin Mary.  

So, this is all an elaborate lesson to justify the fact that our Christmas decorations are still up.  I doubt we will leave them up until February 2 (but hey, that is an option!), but I think I have bought us another week or two.

Merry Christmas, Epiphany and Candlemas.

CC