Clergy from left, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired; Pastor Nicolé Ferry, Assistant Rector Lynn Finnegan and Pastor Deb Church. Courtesy photo

By Reverend Lynn Finnegan
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith
Santa Fe

I have childhood memories of patiently marking the December days before Christmas with a paper window-opening Advent calendar. Nowadays, in the ever-increasing zeal for Christmas profits, Advent calendars have escalated into a holiday of their own. You can get calendars that reveal twenty-five days of chocolates, mini wine bottles, socks, beef jerky, and my personal favorite: a jewelry calendar of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants, and rings for a mere five hundred seventy dollars.

Advent, though, is more than a calendar. In Western churches observing a liturgical year – an intentional, seasonal rhythm of the mystery of the Christian faith – Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The word “Advent” means “coming” or “arrival” and has been observed by the Christian church in various forms for centuries. Early Christians observed it as a season of fasting, a tradition still practiced by some today.

Many churches center on the themes of “waiting” and “preparation.” What are we waiting and preparing for? First, for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Second, we wait and prepare for God’s promise to come again and reveal eternity to us. Advent is an opportunity to observe and remember God came to be with us once, he is still with us, and he is coming again to set all things right.

Others focus on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, using an Advent wreath with four candles, lighting a candle each week. Whatever the tradition, the point is we approach Advent with INTENTIONALITY. In a time when the Western hemisphere is clothed in early darkness and cold, Advent gives space for the griefs and disappointments in our lives, while also wrapping us in a warm blanket of gratitude, generosity, and hope.

I know what you are thinking. How can I find time for Advent reflection in a culture demanding presents, parties, decorations, parades, travel, and cookie baking? In the 1991 classic Unplug the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Joy Back into the Season, the authors recommend thinking about traditions you enjoy and letting go of the ones you feel obligated to. They suggest pausing and imagining what a deeply satisfying Christmas looks like.

I am going to bet twenty-five pieces of chocolate, beef jerky, bottles of wine, socks, or even jewelry will NOT be part of your vision.

Finally, we know the Advent season is especially hard when you have lost someone you love, you are feeling financially insecure, you are struggling with sickness or relationships, or you just can’t muster the “expected” persona of holiday cheerfulness, for whatever reason. Fortunately, some churches are authentically responding to this need, even as we celebrate the joy of the birth of our Savior.

We welcome and invite all to celebrate with us on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but also at these special services:

• White Rock Presbyterian Church, 310 Rover Blvd. “Service of Grief, Lament, and Hope” 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 17,
• Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2390 North Road. “Light Shining in the Darkness” 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 19.
• The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith, 311 E. Palace Ave., Santa Fe. “Holy Dark, Holy Light” 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 19.