JANESVILLE — Advent is a season of thoughtful reflection and preparation—that takes place at the craziest time of year.
Between parties and holiday pageants, shopping and family obligations, Advent tends to get pushed to the side or given a slight, guilt-ridden acknowledgment.
Happily, it doesn’t take a lot of effort for believers to refocus their attention on the season. That refocusing comes with obvious spiritual benefits and some practical side effects.
Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas, and this year the first Sunday of Advent is Nov. 30.
Harried season, peaceful season
Local ministers understand the holiday crush of duties just like we do. For them, end of the year chores include planning for special holiday services, programs and studies.
“It is hard to get ready for Christmas,” said the Rev. Bruce Jones of First Presbyterian Church, Janesville.
His church is preparing to dedicate an enormous remodeling project; he’s working on the annual report and getting new church leaders ready to assume their roles. And he must keep his mind focused on Advent.
Other church leaders also noted that the spiritual and fiscal sides of their job require a frenzy of work in November and December.
Not that they’re complaining.
“I like Advent a lot,” said the Rev. Steven Ekblad of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Janesville. “I think it’s an under appreciated season of the church year.”
During Lent, the spiritual obligations seem clear. So what are believers supposed to be doing during Advent?
Repenting, renewing and rejoicing
“It’s really a time of preparation for God’s gift of the baby Jesus and preparing ourselves for Christ’s promised return,” said the Rev. Mark Gilbert, associate pastor at Cargill United Methodist Church, Janesville.
Ekblad agreed, adding, “It’s not just looking backward to the birth of Christ, it’s looking forward, too.”
For believers, Advent should be a time for a “how-am-I-doing?” review.
“What are those things that God has called us to be doing with our lives?” Gilbert said.
If you’re not certain about the answer to that question, go back to the biblical basics: Christ’s instructions included loving ourselves, loving our neighbors and loving God with all our “heart, soul, mind and strength.”
Or, to make it even easier, ask yourself, “What are the ways I show my love and relationship to God? How do I show that to the people around me?”
Even the Sunday readings during Advent talk about renewal.
“We’re reading from the texts about John the Baptist,” Ekblad said. “He’s preaching to people about repentance, about turning away from sin, about re-evaluating their lives.”
However, renewal does require taking a step back from life—or at least listening and seeing with new eyes and ears.
At First Presbyterian, Jones read many of the traditional Advent texts before the season began as part of a Sunday school program. He’ll read them again during Advent.
“We’re looking at the text out of its context in the church year,” Jones said. “It’s given us a different way to look at a text that is so familiar.”
It’s a new way of listening to the message, and he hopes it gives people a chance to consider the way they listen for and hear—or don’t hear—what God is trying to tell them.
Yes, but …
That still leaves the question of finding time and commitment.
“There’s definitely a struggle between time and preparation,” Gilbert said.
For example, shooting for three hours a week of Advent devotional time might turn you into a resentful Christian.
“Sometimes even taking a small piece of time can help people slow down,” Gilbert said. “Instead of being a burden, it becomes a gift.”
It’s about making a unique, personal commitment, Jones said. The same formula won’t work for everyone.
Another idea: Refocus your attention on the sacred that’s already a part of your life: The lighting of Advent candles, listening attentively to the readings in church—instead of calculating the number of Christmas cookies you’ll have to make for the office party.
If you’re more disposed to action rather than reflection, find a cause to help with: Ring bells for the Salvation Army, start a food drive at work—pick something that will be a joyful imitation of Christ.
“Advent is the anticipation of God giving the gift of his son to us who are needy,” Ekblad said. “We, in turn, give to those who are needy, responding to the love of God.”
Jones encouraged people to read through both of the birth narratives in the Bible; they’re found in Matthew and Luke. In most churches, the Sunday readings only cover part of the story.