In recent years, when September comes, many already begin to make countdowns for Christmas. Most radio, television, and even the print media make this "anticipation" of Christmas. Department stores start planning and displaying Christmas decorations. Even goods usually reserved for the Christmas season are already on display. Offices and houses begin to decorate. The danger of this is that Spirit of Christmas is being ushered-in prematurely. Many believe that Christmas need not be on December 25 alone. In fact, the Tagalog song says, "At, magbuhat ngayon, kahit hindi Pasko ay magbigayan." True, everyday is Christmas. It is true in the sense that we have to sustain and exercise the Spirit of thanking God for humbling Himself by becoming one like us. But if we are to savor and achieve its true essence, preparation for it is necessary and inevitable. The only way it can be fully appreciated and celebrated is when we go through an intense internal preparation in a season called, Advent.
The Advent Season is a four-Sunday preparation for the big event of Christmas. It captures back the experience of the Jews who were eagerly awaiting the coming of the Messiah. "Maranatha!" (Come, Lord Jesus!). The Jews, because of their exiled situation, longed for the coming of the Messiah, their believed Savior. Because of their suffering and aching for the presence of God, they begged Him to send the Messiah, who He had promised through the prophets. Everyday, they looked around and above to see signs of His coming. And one day, he did; on a silent night and a holy night. Although the Lord had already come thousands of years ago, we are asked to re-live it both in memory of the First Coming and in anticipation of the Second Coming of Jesus during the season of Advent.
The effective preparation is repentance. The Lord, not Santa Claus, is coming not anywhere but in us; particularly in our hearts. Therefore, it is the heart that must be ready for the Messiah's entrance. We allot more communication time with God. We ask Him to enlighten us with the sins we have committed and inspire us of the things that we have done well. We are encouraged to make sacrifices not only in atonement for our sins but also to discipline ourselves and be braced well for the temptations that are yet to come. And we go out of ourselves to help our neighbor whether with our time, talent, or treasure. Blessed really is the servant whom the Lord will find waiting for Him when He comes!
Therefore, celebrations before Christmas day are off or counter to the Christmas Spirit! Christmas parties must be celebrated after December 25, the beginning of the Christmas Season. Decorations must be more full and alive during these times. Gifts are more properly given during the Christmas season. Singing carols are very appropriately heard starting Christmas day through out the season. The external preparations must reflect the internal preparation that is happening. If the internal requirement is repentance and longing for the coming of the Messiah, then what should be our external manifestations? "Elementary, my Dear Watson!"
We all want a happy Christmas. There are those who had claimed they had happy Christmases. Essentially and truly, the authentically happy Christmas is when we have accepted God's offer of peace through the birth of His Son. Christmas is God's loving invitation to be united with Him and our response in faith through repentance. All other fruits are mere bonuses!
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