Advent invites us to prepare

Over the Thanksgiving weekend at home back in St. Louis, it dawned on me how out-of-it I really am.

The radio was on at my sister’s house the day after Thanksgiving, and a Christmas song came on (way too early in my book, but more about that in a minute).  It was my best loved carol, Silent Night, by my favorite singer, Perry Como.

“Nobody sings a Christmas song like Perry Como!” I observed.

“Never heard of him.  Who’s he?” replied my niece’s boyfriend.

Yep, things have changed, and I’m out-of-it.  Today, people don’t even recognize Perry.

That’s why I have to be careful.  See, I find myself getting critical this time every year because “We start celebrating Christmas way too early.”  My preference is to go back to “Perry Como days” when the tree didn’t go up until Christmas Eve, the cookies could not be enjoyed until Christmas day, no carol could be heard until at least into mid-December, and no “holiday parties” took place until the great feast.

Then, once Christmas arrived, look out!  We celebrated until Epiphany, January 6^th.

No more.  The decorations have been up for awhile already, the parties start, the songs are heard all over, the trees are up . . . and the season will end – – not start – – December 26^th.

I could complain, but, it does no good.  It’s like trying to explain who Perry Como is.

What I’m saying, I suppose, is that “We need a little Advent, right this very moment!”

Mother Church is shrewd:  she knows that all good things demand preparation.  Christmas is sure a good thing.  Advent invites us to prepare.

In our prayers and worship in church, we Catholics “stand out” these weeks, because we will not celebrate Christmas until Advent is over!  Somber, purple vestments; no carols yet at Mass; no manger or decorations until Christmas Eve.  “Out there,” in the world, it may be December 25; “in here,” in church, slow down, take your time, get ready – – it’s Advent.

I am not an “Advent extremist,” nor on the warpath about Christmas being too secular, or its celebration coming way too early (although I would agree with both.)

But I do love Advent, and know that our Christmas is more meaningful if we use this rich season to prepare our hearts.

How can we “salvage” Advent?

For one, enjoy the Advent feasts:  St. Nicholas, December 6^th; the Immaculate Conception, December 8^th; Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12^th; and, of course, the four Sundays of Advent.

Two, simple, but, if you do put up your tree and the crib, save the arrival of the baby until Christmas itself.

Three, the Advent wreath, calendar, giving tree, and “Jesse Tree” are wonderful devotions.

Four, if we worry that Christmas has become “too commercial,” shop for others!   Participate in one of the many Christmas charity events and endeavors where we can help the poor.  I know one grandma with eight grandkids, who, during Advent claims she has nine, as she donates the amount she spends on one of her own to a charity to help a child.

Five, enhanced prayer is a tried-and-true Advent practice.  I’m glad to see more at daily Mass, or at least reading the bible passages from weekday Masses.  I cheat and say the joyful mysteries of the rosary every day in Advent, since they prepare me for Christmas.

Six, identify one person with whom you’ve had a falling out, or a fight, or have not heard from in a long time, and reach out to them in the spirit of Advent peace and reconciliation.

Finally, I hate to bring it up, but Advent is a great time to make a good confession.  Believe me, you’ll find your Mass and Holy Communion on the Feast a lot more meaningful if you have experienced the mercy of the Messiah in the Sacrament of Penance this Advent.  Mark your calendars for Reconciliation Monday on December 14, 2015, when confessions will be heard in every parish in the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Let’s “keep Christ in Christmas” by keeping Advent alive!

I only wish Perry Como had sung an Advent hymn!