What comes to mind when you think of Advent?" I asked a church group gathered late one November evening. "Waiting ... quiet ... anticipation ... the coming of Christ ... lighting the Advent candles ...," people responded. "What comes to mind when you hear 'Only 27 shopping days till Christmas?' " The group groaned, laughed, then began a long list: "Shopping ... baking ... decorating ... rushing around ... Sunday school program ... preparing for company ...." The rapid delivery of pre-Christmas activities contrasted sharply with
the gentle recitation of Advent images. The responses revealed how
easily the quiet, reflective focus of Advent gets lost in the crush of
holiday preparations.
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