Advent: The Missing Pieces of the Christmas Season
And some fun traditions you may want to start straight away!
Young and innocent Mary lived in Nazareth a town in Galilee. She was so excited, she blushed as her friends teased her as the bride to be.
Mary was engaged to Joseph; she had seen Joseph a few times in family gatherings. He looked like a kind; compassionate man and she looked forward to starting a family with this godly man.
As Mary’s friends left and her parents went about making the wedding arrangements, Mary caught herself all alone.
Her heart was full and joyous. She dreamed of herself as the bride. She saw herself walking in procession, the crowds, the laughter and all the celebration- it was going to be wonderful.
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph. The angel said to her ‘Do not be afraid Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus.’How will this be?’asked Mary, since I am a virgin?
Luke 1:27,30,34
The angel then goes on to assure Mary that her child will be the Son of God.
I am the Lord’s servant was Mary’s quiet reply.
I wonder how Mary broke the news of Gabriel’s visit to her parents and elders in the family? How did they all react? Did they have to cancel the arrangements made already for the wedding? Was Mary upset? Did she cry and make a fuss? Did she ever wear her wedding dress?
Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth (her cousin).
Luke 1:39,40
Mary and Elizabeth spend time together. Two cousins, both expecting— did they pamper themselves with healthy food? Did they make baby clothes and look at their growing tummies in the mirror as mothers to be normally do?
Luke 1:45 and 46 tell us the words of Elizabeth and then Mary:
Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Her plans were squashed, her dreams were crushed, she no longer had a wedding day to celebrate- and we see Mary glorifying God.
To think about:
When has bad weather, a sick child or an accident wiped away the plans I laid out for my life? When have life’s twists and turns left me in a place I never thought I will be in? Do I long to always be in the comfort zone so I have the least inconvenience?
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this year, let us remember Mary and her willingness to submit her plans and dreams at the feet of God, to live out with joy and grace, the plan made by God for her.
No eye has seen
No ear has heard
No mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
Thank you, Lord! - Spend some quiet time in prayer reflecting on this verse.
Some fun Christmas traditions:
Personal
· I like to read the Christmas story and meditate on it. (Luke 1:26-56 and 2:1-20).
· I like to do an Advent study on my own or sometimes with a group of friends.
· I enjoy Christmas movies (Paper angels and Christmas Jars are my top favorites). Both the movies have huge lessons and take aways!!
Paper angels
Christmas Jars
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9802890/
· I read Christmas books. (Christmas candle by Max Lucado and Christmas shoes by Donna VanLiere are the absolute best!)
As a family or with a group of friends
Decorate the Christmas tree as a family. Call friends who may not have family around to share your joy.
Sing carols and cuddle up by the fireplace. Or, if you celebrate a summer Christmas like me, sing carols as you enjoy a summer picnic. As you sing, make decorations or bake cookies to give away.
Look back at the year gone by and make an enormous gratitude list. On Christmas eve read it together and thank God.
As a family decide to gift a food hamper to a family (from church or your neighborhood) who had a hard year. Spend time shopping for and baking for the hamper. Deliver it as a surprise on Christmas Eve.
For Christmas lunch invite a couple of people who are by themselves this holiday time. Spread the Christmas cheer!