Advent Gripe

I am looking forward to Advent already. Having grown up in a Christian tradition that doesn’t focus as much on this particular part of the church calendar, it’s a new (to me) way of thinking that has enriched my experience of Christmas in the past couple of years.

That being said, I am already wincing at the thought of seeing/hearing a lot of snarky “Advent v. Christmas” comments like I did last year. Not light-hearted, George Takei-style puns that are easily parsed into Facebook one-liners. Not witty “Said no one ever” memes, or wry observances with a wink and a smile. No; these are seriously-intended, often snidely-spoken, comments along the lines of:

”It annoys me when he/she calls it a Christmas tree. IT’S AN ADVENT TREE!”

“Why couldn’t they wait to put the decorations up until Advent? This is NOT liturgically correct!”

“I keep wanting to tell people [my friends, the cashiers at the store, random strangers], IT’S ADVENT, not Christmas!”

(Emphasis on the tone of delivery –that’s a key point to getting what I’m saying.)

There’s a time to challenge people of other traditions to think about things in a new way; to consider reinstating tried-and-true traditions long-revered by Christians through the centuries; or to consider adopting some wholly bizarre, alternative idea that completely freaks out the old guard and beckons to Christian crazies everywhere. (And to feel frustrated when they aren’t even willing to consider the possibility that other viewpoints could actually, in some universe, contain a shred of merit.)

There’s a time to critique other traditions or ideas when you they are missing out on something critical to the faith or have gotten something badly wrong. (And to feel frustrated when they aren’t even willing to consider the possibility that other viewpoints could actually, in some universe, contain a shred of merit.)

But too often in the Church, critiques turn into condescension, and a “Why do they assume I’m wrong?” becomes an assumption that in fact, “THEY are the wrong ones”. (And to feel frustrated when they aren’t even willing to consider the possibility that your viewpoint is most definitely Absolutely Correct.)

This beautiful season of Advent - the time of waiting (anxiously, patiently, impatiently, imploringly, desperately, serenely, chaotically) for the arrival of the Word of God - is meant to enrich faith. It should not become another method of demonstrating that other Christians possess a deficient spirituality. What about being grateful for the cashier who cheerfully wishes you “Merry Christmas!” on December 15 – or of graciously thanking the workers who are stringing the “Christmas” lights on the tree – or of being glad that at least on the one day of December 25, just about ALL Christians can share joy together?

So I am awaiting Advent with a measure of dread, and with the need to remind myself not to become guilty of griping about other peoples' gripes.