The Soft Voice of Advent
When I first began attending the Episcopal Church, Advent was somewhat confusing to me. Where were the Christmas carols that we always sang like clockwork in the Methodist Church, beginning with the first Sunday in December--"On Jordan's Bank the Baptist Cries," and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"? What's this season all about?
I came to discover that Advent in our church is a unique season all its own. It was a joyful learning experience to discover how much more meaningful Christmas is if Advent is dutifully observed.
Yet Advent is a mixed bag of joy and penitential preparation. Its soft voice is often lost amidst the brash declarations urging us on to Christmas--buy this, buy that, party here, party there. It is a season that is compromised by the multiple activities that dominate the celebration of Christmas. The stillness of Advent waits to touch our hunger for quiet and repose in the wake of such a busy time. How can you and I feast upon the quiet of Advent?
In A Gnomic Anthology, Part I , Ilias the Presbyter offers us this advice: "Where the soul is concerned, practice is self-control accompanied by simplicity, and simplicity animated by self-control."
What wonderful spiritual direction for the season of Advent! Can I, this Advent, at all the parties, restrain myself, practice self-control, and not eat and drink as much as I usually do? Can I, this Advent, with all the distractions and gifts to buy in preparation for Christmas, practice some self-control and approach these holidays with simplicity in mind?
The first step in this Rule of Advent is to shake out that conscious and unconscious list of expectations. That list can be tempered with God's gift of simplicity animated by self-control. Think of this in terms of Christmas shopping. We are urged to get the biggest, the best, the most outstanding gifts for friends, family members, and lovers. However, a gift selected with simplicity in mind and chosen from the heart touches the divine place of intimacy and means oh so much more than the latest greatest thing.
The second step in this Rule of Advent is to take self-control seriously. For many of us, Christmas is the season of impulse. Impulsive behavior is exacerbated by high demands on time and the constant bombardment of marketing messages. Again, finding the quiet refuge of Advent allows for simplicity to overcome impulsiveness and helps you and me discover the deeper, more beautiful meaning this holy time offers us.
I missed singing those Christmas carols in early December until I got a taste of the feast Advent offers: simplicity and patience. By exercising self-control and living in simplicity during this holy season, my soul and yours will have truly prepared a manger ready to receive Nativity.Joel t