Entering Into The Spirit Of Advent

FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK, CNS

Published: December 9, 2004

For some, the Christmas holidays can be the best of times, while for others the worst of times. How do we make them a memorable time?

The holidays are a multidimensional experience. The better we understand this and choose what is basic to true happiness, the more we’ll desire to repeat the holiday experience year after year.

Let’s start with buying, giving and receiving gifts.

Several weeks prior to Thanksgiving the media begin a marketing blitz. No generation before us ever has had so many choices to make when selecting gifts. We are encouraged to buy clothing, cosmetics and jewelry that give comfort and adorn. The worlds of technology and toys offer us gadgets that are both useful and entertaining. Exotic foods are lauded as the perfect gift for the palate.

Travel is another dimension of the holidays. Christmas is a time to visit loved ones or to be visited by them. Travel schedules are made far in advance, and a new excitement stirs within us as the time approaches to see someone we haven’t seen for some time.

Yet another dimension of Christmas is found in the outreach by numerous institutions at this time of year to the poor, sick, troubled, elderly, prisoners and our armed forces abroad with gifts, food, clothing and heartfelt comfort.

Then there is the Advent season. As we move toward Christmas, so too does our liturgy with its stories of the awaited Messiah. Entering into the spirit of Advent is bound to help make the entire holiday season memorable.

Advent teaches us that the primary purpose of holiday gift-giving is not the giving of material things, but the giving of self: This is a good time to make a gift of ourselves to others.

The greatest gift of Christ was the gift of his heart to us. People often speak of their “significant other.” Advent prepares us for Christ, who made everyone his significant other.

Our Christmas will assume new significance if when giving gifts, visiting loved ones or reaching out to troubled people we recognize them as others who are significant—people whose desires, fears, joys, hopes, faith and love truly matter to us.

The purpose of gift-giving at Christmas is to make us one in spirit with others. When two spirits come together in this manner, an unforgettable moment is created—one that has us wishing it never would pass and one that assures we’ll happily look forward to the next holiday season.