Our Advent this year looks the same and yet… different. I suppose it would; we’re missing some of the people who have always shared our celebrations. Maybe that’s all it is. Somehow it feels like more, though. And the difference is not all bad.
We haven’t purchased a single gift yet. My husband and I have discussed some purchases, but one of the key blessings that Advent provides our family has been setting Christmas morning— the tree, the presents— in a separate, small corner of its own. I remember years past, when our older children were very young, and the buildup to the unwrapping loomed so large. Yes, we sang happy birthday to Jesus. But the swirl of flying paper was the highlight and afterwards, I always felt a sense of sadness. It’s only 8 a.m., I recall saying to myself one year, and Christmas feels over. All that’s left is the dinner.
Nowadays, Christmas morning is such a small part of our celebration. In truth, we’ve been celebrating for weeks now. And we’ve got weeks to go. Christmas, which once felt so fast, now feels luxuriously slow and comfortable.
So what’s changed this year? We’ve added some new books to the mix. We skipped a local parade in favor of a church cookie, craft, and singing event. The kids will be providing entertainment at a nursing home. We attended a living history museum’s tour, taking in the rustic (and gorgeous) decorations of times past. I pulled out Arnold Ytreeide’s Tabitha’s Travels and am reading it with the younger children. And we haven’t watched a single of our holiday movie favorites yet.
What’s the same? Advent calendars. Daily readings with lit candles on the wreath. Picture book and more. (Click for affiliate links to some of our favorites.) Cookies, cookies, and more cookies. Christmas sons and hymns being played and sung all day, every day. The Living Nativity Pageant. The lights. Concerts and recitals. Gatherings with friends and family. Memories relived. Recipes revisited.
The season, which felt precarious as it began, has been a balm to my heart. Yes, there’s a wistfulness to it. But God is, truly, good. Each year, I find that a different song seems to speak to where I am as I celebrate Advent. Last night, I realized that my current favorite is Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus. Charles Wesley’s words echo my heart this season:
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.