I am only writing this because I am so guilty of setting our "Christmas Machine" to high the day after Thanksgiving and turning it completely off the day after Christmas. Much of this blog comes from a wonderful book titled Unplug the Christmas Machine. It traces the history of how the Christmas machine was invented around 1906 with an upsurge of consumer economy, mass production and the nation as a whole was found enjoying a comfortable economic status. Christmas began to look very different from that which the Cratchit's enjoyed. The Cratchit's Christmas centered around the table, singing and family. No wonder Scrooge was in Baa-Humbug mode; he had no way to profit from that! A 1919 add in the New York Times was just the fuel the Christmas Machine needed: "Don't give your family and friends frivolous gifts that are sure to disappoint, buy them worthy gifts that will let them know how much you care." UUUGGGHHH! And so it went, people were totally unaware of how this rise in commercialism would abate the true meaning of the season of Advent and Christmas. I believe there is an overwhelming desire to start the year (yes, the church calendar year begins with Advent!) with a "festival of renewal that kindles our faith, brings us closer to those we care about and brings light and laughter to the dark days of winter. We want to ward off the commercial excess of the season and create an authentic, joyful celebration in tune with our unique needs and desires" (Unplug the Christmas Machine)
So how can we slow down and enjoy the golds and browns of Thanksgiving before focusing on the reds and greens of Christmas? How do we turn December 25th into the beginning of the season and not the end? How do we desensitize our children and ourselves from thinking all of those brand name toys will bring happiness and fulfill our regret for not meeting unspoken needs during the year? Throughout the 9 chapters of Unplug the Christmas Machine Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staehli offer some great advice.
* Vow to do one or two of your favorite traditions this year. Save the others for the next coming years.
* Develop a core list (did you get that? a "core" list) of all of those activities you agree on as a family are essential and then divide the necessary tasks.
* Simplify gift giving.
Let's sit on this last one for a minute...
The list for Santa is fun for everyone. It can be a time of creativity, a lesson in prioritizing, a good lesson on how to address an envelope; but I also believe it can be an exercise in a child's deep rooted silent desire for something more this season. Family time, an evenly paced season, reliable family traditions and boundaries for realistic expectations. Gosh, wouldn't this just be nice in daily life...Yes, in a perfect world it would be nice to accomplish all four of these, but reality exists. I challenge you and your family to determine how this season of Advent and Christmas will look differently this year while still enjoying those family traditions at an even pace. Robinson and Staeheli suggest even though we are doing those things we have looked forward to and those things that signal it is Christmas, many of us are left with a "spiritual hole". How will we intentionally and decisively fill this spiritual hole this Advent and Christmas by turning our focus on the waiting and watching for the Christ child and the celebration of His birth?
Unplug and come to Trinity for Advent:
Advent Festival: Sunday, December 18th Lessons and Carols begins at 4:00 followed by a chili cook-off and Advent wreath making in Satterlee Hall. There will be kid friendly food and children's Advent art projects.
Sunday School in Advent: Come meet the characters of Christmas with Dean Jones during the Sunday school hour. Children and youth will also be studying these same characters.
Evensong: come to Evensong 4-5 on Sundays during Advent. Children are also invited to a Children's Evensong during this time in the Storyroom.
Christmas Bags: Come pack Christmas bags for Transitions and our Sunday morning breakfast guests in Satterlee Hall December 18th during the Sunday school hour.
Christmas Pageant Rehearsal: Come be part of the Christmas story! We will rehearse at 10:0am on Tuesday, December 20th and then enjoy brunch and costume fittings.
Christmas Eve Services: 4:00pm, 7:00pm and 11:00pm
Christmas Day Services: 7:45 am and 10:00am with a special "Blessing of the Toys"
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