Here we are! We have officially started Advent, our waiting time for Christmas. I am not sure about you, but I feel as if this year has gone by quicker than 2014 did. On top of that, I feel many of us are still rushing. Instead of “Prepare the way for the Lord,” I feel like the motto is, “Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Let’s rush through Advent so that by the time we get to Christmas we are so sick of the ‘holiday spirit’ we just want it to end.” This definitely does not seem like the right attitude to me.
While it is easy to get caught up in the Christmas season like everyone else, I feel like a lot of the time we are missing the most important part. After all, getting there is half the fun right? So before you break out singing “Jingle Bells,” take a few minutes to realize what exactly you are doing.
Advent lasts for four weeks. Because we forget about where we really are in the year, these four weeks usually drain us of our Christmas spirit so we are empty by the time we reach December 25th. How many people put up their Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving? Or even before then? They see this tree for four or more weeks and then the day of December 26th, they tear it down. It’s understandable as they are tired of the overbearing evergreen being planted in their living room.
Wouldn’t it be nice though if we weren’t tired of the tree by the time Christmas rolled around? Wouldn’t it be nice to not feel burned out the day after Christmas? If you are reading this and going, “Yes, yes, tell me more!” then keep reading for a few tips.
- First off, there is no rule you have to put up the tree right after Thanksgiving. In my family, it is a tradition to put up and decorate the tree on Christmas Eve. For the days following December 25th (the 12 days of Christmas) the tree is still new to us and we are definitely not tired of it.
- Turn off the Christmas music! If you never get tired of hearing “Frosty the Snowman” good for you. However, for the rest of us, if you want to enjoy Christmas music on (get this) Christmas day, then wait to pop in your CD of carols. Trust me, Advent music exists as well.
- Wait to decorate. We usually deck out our house with Christmas decorations on the third week of Advent. Again, you won’t get tired of staring at the same red bows every single day.
- Celebrate the days of Advent. Whether you use an Advent calendar or tear a strip off a paper chain, make sure you are celebrating the journey.
- You can tell people “Happy Advent,” instead of “Merry Christmas.” Every time I greet someone like this, they almost always get a look on their face that says, “Oh yeah. We are still in Advent.” Isn’t it nice to be reminded what time of the year it really is?
I hope these suggestions help. Wishing you all a Happy Advent! 🙂