Since the Christmas that many celebrate in the U.S. has little or no connection with the religious observance of Jesus’ birth, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by the crass consumerism, violent shopping and overt greediness that marks the weeks leading up to December 25. And it’s not just what one journalist described as the “consumer equivalent of genuflecting.” There’s the crazy, over-committed party schedules and excesses of all kinds that mark the way many celebrate Christmas.
As for me and my house? This coming Sunday we’ll make an Advent wreath and begin four weeks of mindful preparation for Christmas. We’ll do our best to keep the days quiet as we observe the discipline of Advent waiting, lighting candles, saying prayers, preparing for Christmas. And unlike many, we won’t be ending our Christmas celebration on December 25. We’ll just be getting started.
This message is an excerpt from a Nov. 26, 2012, Women of the ELCA blog by Linda Post Bushkofsky.
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