Emmanuel Cardinal Sumaro, " To be a witness does not consist in engaging propaganda, nor in stirring people up, but in being a living mystery."
This quote leapt out at me when I read it the other day. As we move closer to Advent we are confronted by the frantic holiday season. Already stores are playing Christmas music and are filled with all the glitz and glamour of a "perfect" Christmas. Our culture sells us a holiday season that is all propaganda and stirring people up; when the original center of this feast is the birth of the most perfect living mystery, Jesus Christ. How can we live our Advent together honoring the living mystery that we are? How do we offer space to those we love and live with to breathe in and enjoy the living mystery that they are? How can we help one another remember, "the stable where for once in our lives Everything became a You and nothing was an It?"*
Over the next few weeks I will share some ways to join the spirituality of Advent that have helped my family step out of the holiday madness and enter into the joyful waiting of the people of God. I would love to hear what has helped you as well.
The first rule for a joyful Advent is less is more. Do you really need to attend all the parties? Do you have realistic expectations when it comes to decorations, cooking, gift buying? Would a better gift for your loved ones be time with you rather than the perfectly decorated home? What is essential and what is life giving? Wouldn't it be wonderful if your home could be an oasis of peace during the holidays?
When my children were young we pledged to only attend two Christmas parties. We also helped our children pick just two holiday related activities to attend. We consciously slowed down, simplified and tried to spend our time enjoying each other.
May we all be mysterious witnesses to the one who gave up all to be among us.
*W. H. Auden from For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratio.
