I have a friend who is Romanian. Her daughter (born in
October) was christened November 30. My friend commented that she was worried
about having a Christening during Advent, which starts November 15 in the
Romanian church. In Romania, Advent is observed the same as Lent. In fact, the
same word is used for both seasons and both last for forty days. Like Lent, Advent
is marked by reflection and repentance. A Romanian Christening, on the other
hand, is a massive celebration. The church service alone lasts a couple of
hours. Then, the party that follows the service lasts late into the night with eating,
drinking and dancing – not to mention family from EVERYWHERE. This sort of
joyful gathering is inappropriate during Advent, according to Romanian custom. Joyful
celebrations are best left for the Christmas Season (December 24- January 5).
That is when Romanians feast and party.
The timing of the event did not seem to bother too many
people, however, as there were plenty of Romanians in attendance – and plenty
of Țuică, a potent homemade liquor, at the reception.
Still, my friend’s comment got me thinking. It seems that here
in the US we do Christmas and Advent backwards. As in the Romanian church,
Advent is supposed to be a time of reflection and repentance. It is supposed to
be a time of preparation, where we make ourselves ready for the birth of
Christ. Instead, we spend Advent celebrating Christmas with holiday music,
decorations and parties. Then, on December 26, we pack up the decorations and
go back to work. Party’s over. Christmas is over.
- Except Christmas actually lasts for 12 days – not just
one.
I remember singing Christmas carols in church after
December 25 and thinking that was odd when I was a kid. As I got older, I
learned that Christmas lasts until January 5 in the church. I also learned that
Advent is a time for prayer and preparation - not celebrating - but that did not
change how my family (or anyone else I knew) did Christmas. It was not until I
spent a year in Norway as an exchange student that I finally got it. During
Advent that year, the only decorations at our house were a star in a window and
an Advent Wreath. We did not put up Christmas Decorations until the morning of Christmas
Eve because Christmas did not officially start until 5:00 pm when the
local cathedral rang their bells at the conclusion of their Christmas Eve
service. At that point, we started feasting and did not stop until January 5.
There were parties, sing-a-longs and guests coming over for coffee throughout
the 12 days of the Christmas season. The fireworks on New Year’s Eve were only
part of the celebrations – not a standalone thing. It was intense, a lot of fun
and REALLY fattening.
I missed that when I came back to the U.S. but I continued
celebrate Christmas American style for many years.
Last year, I made a serious effort to observe Advent. I made
a (less than elegant) Advent wreath, which we lit each Sunday as we read Advent
devotions as a family. I tried to focus on the meaning of the season through
all the hustle and bustle. I tried to remember that Advent is part of a bigger story
and not just the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I tried to spend more
time in prayer and reflection – not that I was always successful – and I
counted my blessings often. I found that the calm of Advent was a great way to
counter the zing of Christmas.
This year, there is another (less than elegant) Advent wreath
on my coffee table. The Advent devotion book is back out and getting a lot of
use. I try to find time each day to reflect and pray, although
I still struggle with that. I am learning meditation, which will
hopefully help. I am still feeling my way though it but I
figure that is OK. I can be a work in progress since the season is all about
preparing.
In addition to my present focus on Advent, I plan to
celebrate Christmas for the entire Christmas season (December 24 - January 5)
instead of just one day. It will not be the full-on extravaganza of the
Norwegians or Romanians, but it will be Christmas. I will keep the tree up and
the Christmas music going, for one thing. I will also continue baking cookies
and playing games with the family. I want to visit friends and fill my days
with laughter and joy. I might do a Christmas Calendar – like and Advent
Calendar but with a surprise for each of the twelve days of Christmas. Maybe I
will bake a cake for Three Kings Day. I have not worked out all the details,
yet, since this is something completely new for me. This will be a new
tradition with my family so I expect it to be fun, exciting and involve a lot
of tweaking and learning.
It is not yet Christmas, however. It is so easy to forget that we are still in Advent. As
fun as it is to think about Christmas, I will light a candle (two on Sunday),
take a deep breath and remember that Advent is the quiet before the storm. It
is not just the month between our two biggest holidays; it is a wonderful
season in itself. Christmas is coming and it will be crazy and fun and great, but
now is time to rest, prepare and reflect. Enjoy it.
Happy Advent, Everyone!
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