Advent wasn’t recognized as a season in the religious tradition I grew up in. I was always taught Christmas was a secular holiday since the Bible didn’t name Jesus’ birthday. God knows we didn’t want to be adding to the Good Book. I knew little of the Advent season or the liturgical calendar many Christian denominations celebrate. Shoot, I didn’t even know what Advent was until I married a woman from a different Christian tradition.
My journey with Jesus has taken a different course as I’ve grown older. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas has always been a reflective time for me. Advent makes it especially so. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” – a translation of the Greek word parausia. In turn, parausia denotes a coming, arrival, or physical presence. Most of Christendom thinks of it as the Second Coming of Jesus. I prefer to focus on the first coming, the birth of Emmanuel – “God is with us”.
This year will not go on my Top Ten List of favorites. I lost my son, Jeremy, in May. COVID found its way to our home. Margaret is still suffering the long-term effects even though her symptoms were relegated to her oxygen levels and none of the other ones. We count ourselves blessed in that regard. Many of our friends have experienced the loss of loved ones due to COVID. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the economy causing so much anxiety and stress. More devastating is the emotional damage it’s caused.
Moreover, the social fabric seems broken almost beyond repair. The divisiveness, hatefulness, systemic racism, and social injustice feel unsurmountable. The election may be over, but the selfish narcissism of the orange-haired baby currently in the White House seeks to destroy anything that may benefit the incoming administration. Even more troubling is the fact that so many of his followers chose untruths over reality. Communication lines are non-existent, and fear runs rampant. This year has made hope feel out of reach.
Advent is more important than ever in 2020. It’s the reminder that God is indeed with us even in the brokenness and pain. Advent allows me to look backward: to acknowledge the hurt, the pain, and my shortcomings that holds God at bay. It reminds me of my own powerlessness without God with me. It opens my eyes and my heart to the God that has been there through all of it
It certainly doesn’t feel like it at times, but Advent reminds me that feelings are not reality. This Advent season I hope and pray for the recognition of God’s presence right here, right now. I pray for the constant reminder that God is with us – plural. If God is with you, I pray for the vision to see God in my fellows.
“If God is for us then who can be against us?” Romans 8.31
Note: I discovered a great resource for this season of Advent –
“Low: An Honest Advent Devotional” by John Pavlovitz (www.johnpavlovitz.com)
Maybe we can take the season’s journey together…
gregoryjoel.com 
Such a touching post and so heartfelt! Again, I am so sorry for your loss and all that you and your wife have been through. I have been working on an Advent post also, but mine will focus on looking forward, perhaps for many of the same reasons yours was looking back! Blessings to you!
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I know nothing about Advent, but agree with your admonitions for peace and acceptance.
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I hope the best for you all out in Utah. I hear the news and think of your family whenever I hear about the numbers surging again in Utah. Stay safe and have a blessed Christmas season.
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I can’t wait to read it Valerie. I probably have the traditional Advent thing a little backwards. I understand that the tradition is the first two weeks look forward and the second two look back. Advent has been such a blessed discovery for me that I guess I get in a hurry! Have a wonderful and blessed Advent Holiday season.
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