One of the busiest times of year has to be the Christmas season. Everyone is bustling around trying to find the hottest gift at the cheapest price, decorating their homes to look like magazine pictures and making the perfect homemade Christmas goodies. We get stressed fighting the mall crowds and getting all the gifts bought and wrapped by the holidays. Holiday parties add to the stress since we also have to find the perfect Christmas outfit. Who has time now during this busy season to experience Advent and reflect on the coming of Our Savior?
To truly experience joy at Christmas, it is more important than ever to slow down, take time to meditate, read inspirational books, and observe traditions that are connected with Jesus. Here are some of the ways I will work on experiencing Advent instead of the shopping craze:
1) Gradually put up the decorations. They do not have to be put up in one day but spread over several days or weeks.
2) Look at family traditions and pick the ones with the most meaning. You do not have to do them all to have a wonderful Christmas. My favorites are lighting the candles on the advent wreath and baking a Christmas recipe from my childhood. However, there is nothing wrong with buying store-bought Christmas cookies if there is no time to bake them. (Cookie exchanges are also an idea when time is short).
3) Take time to attend a church event that focuses on Advent or the Nativity. For example, one church in my area sponsors a walk through Bethlehem that recreates the town at the time of Jesus. You could also make time to go to an additional mass or church service or simply go to your church to pray.
4) Outreach is important even if it is simple and inexpensive. My church has a giving tree. People pull off tags with basic needs for the homeless shelters such as shampoo or underwear. I got my kids involved by having them pick out a tag, buy the item and return it back to church.
5) Take time off work before the holidays to do Christmas shopping and baking. The stores are less crowded. I get all the shopping done, gifts wrapped and food prepared so I can relax closer to Christmas.
6) Choose an inspirational book or devotional to read daily during Advent. Plan to devote at least 30 minutes a day for reading.
7) Last year when I felt stressed, I imagined myself at the manger in Bethlehem and felt the peace and joy of the scene. This year, I am meditating on Mary as she walked to Bethlehem. She must have wondered why she had to make this journey while close to giving birth to Our Savior. However, she completely trusted in God and it all worked out so gloriously in the end. As we get stressed by inconvenient events, we need to be more like Mary and surrender to God.
I hope everyone has an uplifting and inspirational Advent season!
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