The new year is a peculiar thing when it comes to the Church. Perhaps it’s because it always begins a month early! The liturgical calendar reaches its culmination (very fittingly) on Christ the King Sunday and begins anew with the first Sunday of Advent. The Daily Office lectionary shifts from year 1 to year 2 and the Revised Common Lectionary moves from year C to year A. If over the last three years you read or heard all the lessons on all Sunday mornings you will have (almost) read the entirety of the Bible. Now we begin again. And this may be the best part of the ecclesial new year, the opportunity to begin anew well ahead of the Gregorian calendar — not ending your year with Christmas, but starting afresh with it.

Advent is unique in its scope and shape. It’s different from all the other liturgical seasons. As soon as it arrives I feel a slight twinge of guilt arise within me. A pull from deep inside moves me to start retrieving the Christmas decorations from the loft in the garage and begin unboxing them all. I want to pull out the green garlands with the integrated Christmas lights and stretch them across the mantle immediately. I want to locate the collection of Santa figurines and set them out on the window sill in ascending order according to the height of each. I want to lay my hands on the snow man soap dispenser for the bathroom, the trio of nordic elves that go on the shelf, the green and red candles of all shapes and sizes, the stockings with our initials on them, and of course the Christmas tree. As soon as Advent comes it feels like “game on” for all things Christmas. And I’m all for it! Yet, at the same time, there is this sense that maybe I should be more circumspect. Maybe there is some hidden grace in not being swept up in the Christmas mayhem quite so swiftly, so early, and so completely.

There is no one size-fits-all approach to anything in life, but especially Advent. Some are so absolutely committed to keeping Advent the “right” way that they swear off all Christmas music, hymns and carols until December 24th. And breaking that discipline feels like sinning. Others roll into Advent with a Christmasstarted-on-black-Friday attitude. Advent? Isn’t that just a calendar for counting down the days until Christmas?! But as a good Anglican who approaches all things within a “via media” (middle way) ethos I believe the best Advent is found in neither of these extreme approaches, but in a third way.

Advent is both a semi-penitential season that invites reflection and a joyful season of anticipation. Can one do both without compromising the depth and goodness of the other? Yes. Not only is it possible, it is necessary and obligatory. Advent is a gift. A gift before the gift of Christmas. Many have experienced this in various analogous ways. I can’t help but think of my mother-in-law during the weeks prior to our holiday visits. Much of her joy comes before our arrival from the anticipation and preparation itself. If, however, she over prepares with too much exuberance she’s exhausted when we arrive. But just the right amount seems to deepen her love for her family and transform the time we have together when we arrive.

So, I say go a little crazy! But allow Advent to bless you by drawing you deeper into contemplating the wonder of the Christ child. The sacred mystery of our loving God who became flesh, who became vulnerable in a manger and on a cross, is worth slowing down for.

However you come to Advent this year may you experience the joy of the season and the blessing of God who loves you beyond measure.

Yours in Christ,

Drew+