Here we go again! Daylight savings time is over, the decorations are up in the stores: the march towards Christmas begins.
And there’s so much to do!
- from decorating our homes …
- to cooking, entertaining and party-hopping …
- to buying and wrapping gifts … and mailing them …
- to making out cards … and mailing them …
- to volunteering our time and giving to our favorite charities …
- to spending time with family …
All good but …
Don’t get me wrong; all of these things are worthwhile, so long as we do them freely and we have the means to do so.
But …
- What about people who are hurting financially and feel the pressure to buy gifts?
- What about those dealing with complex family relationships who are obligated to spend time with that troublesome parent, sibling, aunt or cousin?
- What about people (like me) who have no talent in cooking, decorating and entertaining but are expected to do them anyway?
- And what of the poor souls who work in retail and are bombarded with the holidays 24/7?
Do the demands and the frantic pace of Christmas make you want to withdraw
to a quiet and peaceful space? How do you find that space?
There is a best-kept secret in our churches, that of the Advent season. Beginning after Thanksgiving, Advent presents a quieter and simpler approach. It’s a spiritual safe haven where we can retreat, be quiet and prepare for true purpose of Christmas, that of welcoming God come down as a human child to live among us.
In a series of blog posts, I will be presenting some of that treasure through songs, videos and readings in the hopes that this will lead you into that quiet space within yourself, the “inner room” where Jesus encourages us to go when we wish to pray.
Carry it with you
Advent introduces you to a gift, a sacred space which you can carry around inside of you long after Christmas is over. It’s a place to go to when you need to recharge your battery. It’s where you will find the endless welcome and acceptance from a God who longs to lavish love and mercy upon you.
Jesus retreated regularly to his inner room to be with the One he loved most. We can do the same.
Click here to listen to the Advent music I will be spotlighting.
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Be as One 
I have the opposite problem. I would love a bit of noise and chaos at Christmas. Too far from family for them to visit, hubby disabled so can’t visit them. Mum housebound and a bit bah humbug. I hanker after the Christmas past. If I was on my own I would go and volunteer somewhere.
I am so sorry for your difficulty; it has to be very hard. Would your mother and husband allow visitors? Perhaps a few friends over for dinner? Thank you for sharing this perspective; it actually does hit home because my parents are gone, my sister has moved down south and my brother doesn’t celebrate Christmas. I do have my husband’s family nearby which is wonderful and our two children come home but I can relate a bit to your desire to perhaps have a little more noise at Christmas.
Christmastime is loaded emotionally for so many people, and in a variety of ways. This is why I find refuge in the season of Advent–the readings from Isaiah and the other prophets are so beautiful, laden with hope.
Can you write to me at susanwbailey@gmail.com? I would like to send you something that perhaps might help a bit. In the meantime, I will keep you and those like you, in my prayers.