Reflections on Advent:
I am so glad my Christian tradition includes a liturgical calendar. Each year begins with four weeks to consider, study and pray about the coming of Jesus. Advent Lessons and
Carols at Christ Church Cathedral is of great assistance. It makes the actual arrival of Christmas, and Jesus, a welcome gift. Four weeks of Advent, twelve days of Christmas and then Epiphany.
I got them out of order this year. My Epiphany came this morning, during Advent, driving home from Tyler. From a historical perspective, for me Christmas and holidays in general tend to have some baggage. You try growing up with a parent who is perpetually depressed and inclined to self medicate and see if holidays equal happy times. Mine did not.
Two years ago on Christmas morning, driving to Tyler with food and packages filling my little red car, I swerved to avoid a dog coming down the road, rolled my car and ended up in the field in front of a small church. The two folks who witnessed the accident said it was "a miracle" that I survived and with only small injuries. So, today, I drove home past that place, the little field where I came to, and I said "Thank you, God" ... because I believe it is important to acknowledge miracles.
Two years ago on Christmas morning, driving to Tyler with food and packages filling my little red car, I swerved to avoid a dog coming down the road, rolled my car and ended up in the field in front of a small church. The two folks who witnessed the accident said it was "a miracle" that I survived and with only small injuries. So, today, I drove home past that place, the little field where I came to, and I said "Thank you, God" ... because I believe it is important to acknowledge miracles.
Trying to balance my joy in preparing for Christmas while observing Advent, and still remaining in the world which includes singing along with zippy songs while shopping at World Market, finding the funds for the gifts to the family, attending de riguer parties and plays, baking endless sweets and remaining cheerful takes a bit of a toll. However, today's gift was the imparted knowledge that my way is an okay way. I am glad to "prepare."
To paraphrase the pharisee (haven't you always wanted to paraphrase a pharisee?): I thank God that EVEN though I am not like others, I believe that Jesus came for me. I was all bent out about what others believe and then it "dawned" on me ...it doesn't matter for me.
What matters is Gratitude and I am grateful. Thank you for my family, even those who are not grateful for me. Thank you for my friends, both in my face and on my Facebook. Thank you for my health ... what a gift that is as I get older and older. Thank you for my gifts. I have a friend who wrote 50,000 words of her novel in November! I cannot imagine writing that much but I certainly am grateful for the gift of loving to write. I helped some grandos with school projects this week. I am not "crafty" and didn't do a great job. Well, actually some of the ice cream cone Christmas trees were pretty cute.
I sang along with some gorgeous music on the way home. One can sing along when driving down the road alone. I am glad to have a job. Would rather not be working but I am glad to have a job.
So thanks for the early Epiphany ... I cannot imagine arriving at Christmas without preparing.
And I'm glad that my preparations are satisfactory.
