Advent

Dear Advent,
For the first time in my life, I am beginning to understand why some people dread you - the holidays, that is. I’m sure there are various outward reasons for it: the stress, the cost, the busy schedule, the overplayed Christmas carols (as if that was even possible!). But I would daresay that of those who greet the holiday season with apprehension, most actually fear something a little deeper than long lines at Target and the 10 extra “holiday pounds”.

It might just have to do with expectations.

I certainly can’t speak for all newly-revealed scrooges, so I’ll speak for myself: I’m generally a person of high expectations. Of myself, of others, of situations in general. This can be good: I set standards high and try to achieve them. This can be bad for obvious reasons: in this imperfect world, with imperfect people I am often disappointed. That being said, the holidays are often a time for great expectations ... and great disappointments.

This year, unlike years past, I am greeting the holiday season with a mild sense of trepidation. Not that I anticipate the holidays being awful - I'm just already foreseeing them being less than what I hope for - expect - you might say.
This is due largely in part to significant changes since the last holiday season:

New marriage = new family to celebrate with (or without) and different traditions.
New jobs and different schedules = less time to celebrate or no time to celebrate.
Strained/fragmented relationships = hurt, stress, anger, etc.

However, the reason for this letter is not merely to confess my holiday hang-ups, but rather to declare that instead of setting unattainably high expectations and then crashing and burning with a severe case of Post Christmas Blues, I am praying, hoping, trying to center my heart on ............ you guessed it: the real meaning of Christmas.

Seriously. Clichés aside, I am anxious to begin to engage with the Lord (and Phyllis Tickle) in Christmastide - Prayers for Advent through Epiphany from the Divine Hours. It is my prayer that I will focus on and find peace in the constancy of Emmanuel amidst the changes and challenges of this holiday season. I pray to engage my soul fully in the beauty and anticipation of Advent and rejoice fully in its fulfillment in Christmas through the prayers in Ms. Tickle’s book. (Why this book, you ask? That’s for another letter). Perhaps because of (not merely in spite of) the challenges that life has thrown my way lately, will I be able to understand and experience the hope, the joy, the beauty of Christ’s birth in a deeper and truer way.

So, Advent, you might just be the best, most fulfilling one I’ve experienced yet.

But I won’t set my expectations too high….

Most Sincerely,
Julie