The Sled Before the Turkey?

This time it’s not the cart before the horse, but the sled before the turkey.

What happened to preparations for Thanksgiving? According to all that I am seeing and hearing in the media, it’s already about Christmas! So much of what we hear speaks about this being the happiest time of year and about Christmas as the best day of the year. Why does society find it to be such a great time of year? Is it in celebration of Christ’s birth, which is one of the single greatest events in human history? Is it that it is an opportunity to prepare for His second coming, when He will return to judge the living and the dead? Unfortunately, I’m afraid non-Christians and Christians alike tend to “love” this time of year because it raises up in them warm and happy feelings (not that those feelings are bad). For many, it is a magical time of year.  Some factors are that the weather changes, the decorations are different, the music playing is full of delight, and of course we get to engage in one of the most enjoyable activities in our society — we get to buy stuff!

Before we enter into the Advent Season, which is still a half a month away, as followers of Christ, let’s not respond to the upcoming holiday season as merely “magical,” but as something deeply spiritual. I like the holiday season as much as anyone, but I believe God is calling me to be rooted in the true reasons why this time of year is special. It’s about what God has done for us and His great care, kindness, and mercy for us – for me.

As disciples, as catechists, as parents, let us seek to be in Christ and with Christ, and ask Him to act through us so that the world may know Jesus, know the goodness of God the Father who provides for his people, and know that presents and annual holiday parties are secondary to celebrating the wonders of God and His infinite blessings!!!