Looking forward to Christmas?

It's interesting to see all the opinions of the playing of Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I've even seen pictures of a Turkey threatening Santa, telling him to wait his turn. I admit, it's pretty comical. Now obviously, Santa as we have come to know the myth, has nothing to do with Christmas, really. Here's the question, is there a place for the anticipation of Christmas. My answer . . . absolutely!

Traditionally Advent is a looking forward to the coming of Christ. It is a season that we don't hear a lot about in our churches (Restoration Movement). And to be completely forthcoming it isn't a prescribed Biblical practice. So why do we think about it? Is there any value in it? Should we make a nod to the season of Advent (literally "the coming")? All good questions. I'm glad you asked!

It is good for us to think about it because we live in a day and age of materialistically anticipating Christmas. I enjoy the giving and receiving of presents, I'll admit. But when that is the most important consideration, we need to refocus. On this side of the Messiah coming we can't understand what it meant to eagerly wait for his first coming. He has already come. But we can certainly anticipate the second coming. It brings to mind the Hope we have in Christ. It reminds us of the Love he has shown, and will continue to show until he returns.

In a culture that gives value to elaborate spending and over consumption, there is value in remembering God's simple gift. And after further examination we realize that in God's simple gift of a baby in a manger actually lies the most extravagant show of love and affection for His creation. There is Joy in the birth of a baby. There is peace in His gift.

We can certainly give Advent a look, through the scriptures, and fully anticipate the coming of Christmas. And in doing so we may discover, or rediscover the meaning of the first coming and the implications of His second coming. And maybe, just maybe, we will begin the process of turning our Christmas celebrations away from the materialism and toward an opportunity to share the hope, love, joy, and peace of God this Christmas. I'm looking forward to it. Are you?

Humbly,
Dave