Advent

Today is the start of a new year according to the Christian liturgical calendar. The new year starts with a focus on being prepared for the coming of the Lord. Advent has always held a double meaning; that of preparation for the birth of Jesus and that of preparation for the Second Coming of the Risen Christ. Focusing on these two things seems appropriate as the new year begins.

Of course the new year and the focus on nativity coincides with the retail celebration of Christmas and Santa and all that consumer-driven excitement. There are some in the Christian family who don't want this to be called the "Holiday Season" because it detracts from Christmas but, to me, that's wrongheaded. Christmas has been all but completely co-opted by retail sales and all those cutesy movies about family tradition. It's about Santa Claus and reindeer and Frosty and the Grinch. Those are all wonderful in their own rite. But, they have nothing to do with the Nativity. I have no trouble in naming things separately. There are holiday things. There are Christmas things and there are Nativity things.

Macy's could care less about Jesus. They are interested in the bottom line. They have no concern for Hanukkah. They want to see a rising sales curve. I don't mean to single out Macy's. It's the same for all big box retailers. Christmas gets their balance sheet healthier. That's what it's all about for them.

I enjoy buying gifts and the family celebrations. I love the Christmas songs of Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I enjoy watching people open presents on Christmas day and I have my own great memories of getting up before the sun to see what was under the tree. I have no trouble calling it Christmas or Holiday time as long as we are careful to talk about the Nativity with a completely different voice.

The Nativity is about a humble husband and wife who are under the orders of the strong and oppressive government to return to their home town and pay taxes. It is about a child laid in a feeding trough on a bed of hay and wrapped in bands of rags and the lowliest of job-holders in all of society; shepherds, being the first to hear the news.

To me, it's all good. Just don't confuse Santa with Jesus or give his magical appearing with gifts any time in the church. That place belongs to Jesus.