As I write this in November, I have already been to look at Christmas lights and Christmas trees that have been put up in the shops and spaces around where I live. There are always a few people who like to have their yearly 5-minute moan about people decorating this early. Depending on who you are talking to, you might also hear comments that this is the season of Advent, not the season of Christmas.
Advent is a time of expectant waiting. A lot of people will experience something of expectant waiting regularly. Whether it is for the bus when running late, payday when running short on money, or for exam results that will lead us to a new path. When the bus arrives, we hope that we will get where we need to go on time. With payday, we hope that that will mean that we can pay for everything we need to that week or month. With exam results, we hope that they will help us to get the job we want or to move to higher level courses or training.
The Christian tradition sees the expectant hope of Advent is one of hope in a promised Messiah. Within this hope we hope for a world of peace. As Christians, the hope is that God’s kingdom may be fully visible. The Christian hope is not just of a saviour, but of a saviour who will come again.
Maybe the challenge this Advent is to celebrate with others as they enjoy putting up their decorations (however early!) and with those for whom Christmas is simply a time to spend with family and friends. To express to others the hope that the Christian tradition leads us towards. Then to be with them after Advent to show them how Christmas changes our lives.
Jen Adams
