Christmas decorations in my home
In the Catholic tradition we should wait during the Advent season, reflecting on the coming of Christ, especially internally. Bishop Robert Barron says that an introduction and movement towards God is ignited in the true, the good, and the beautiful. Christmas lights, displays, trees and decorations are beautiful. Those decorations light up the cold, stark winter nights. It makes me smile to see the beauty around me. God rejoices in our joy. I am just fine if the beauty of the lights come out on Thanksgiving day. I think there should be just such beauty around more than once a year.
Advent is important and to be honored in our hearts but that doesn’t mean you have to condemn those who decorate. They are sharing their joy of Christmas with us.
Advent is waiting…for the coming of the Christ child…it is a time of getting ready. Parents don’t wait until their child is born to prepare…and so Advent is a preparing time. As the same time we can honor that we aren’t CELEBRATING the arrival of the birth before the birth….and we should celebrate Christmas longer than the day itself…since we celebrate the birth of our children throughout their, and our lives. I like to think of Advent as a preparing time vs. a waiting time.
I also try to remember during Advent to say to others who wish me a Merry Christmas, “I hope you also have a Merry Christmas…”