Advent Week Three; Joy In The Not Yet
One of the things that has made the Christmas season richer for me is finding new Christmas music. New songs. Old songs new ways. Music, much like a great book, has always gripped my heart in ways a sermon or other verbal communication doesn’t. I’m going to share a few thoughts and some of the music inspiring me this Christmas season. I hope you have time to listen, but if not I hope the thoughts will point your heart in a good direction.
A note: I originally wrote pieces of this to my newletter subscribers, many of whom are not Christians. When I pasted some of it over here and attempted to continue the convsersation with a largley Christian audience, it lacked cohesion. For that, I apologize. Rather than scrap the whole thing and start over, (which I don’t have energy for) I’m going to leave this here and maybe next year fresh inspiration will strike. Thanks for sticking with me, my dear readers.
In some traditions, the third week of Advent is one of Joy. How fortunate that we see from this side of the timeline! We get to look back and see joy dawn for humanity, so how about we start there with our first song?
I’m a huge proponent of Christmas Spirit. I was chatting with two dear friends just the other day about why I think Christmas spirit is so important. Basically, it comes down to this: we’re at war. (Huh?) Yes, you read that right. Every good story revolves around a good and evil, dark and light, right and wrong, hope and hopelessness, or life and death battle. (If you haven’t read week two, you’ll find a bunch about that here.) Without conflict, stories are unrelatable and boring. Why? Because deep down, we know we’re at war. We long for books and music and memes that speak to our struggles. We scroll and schedule and search endlessly for joy amidst the tangible strife.
In this darkest season of little daylight, Christmas bursts in with the light of generosity, hope and joy. Whether you’re a person of faith or not, this season challenges us to side with light on the darkest days of the year. Yes, the darkness retaliates with materialism, grumpy (dare I say fellow) consumers and humbug of all kinds. But for every advertisement and event in our busy schedules, there are voices pressing us ‘further up and further in’ to something even better.
Think about the messages of restoration in Home Alone and Elf. If you’re a fan of old movies like I am, think about the generosity and romance in White Christmas and We’re No Angels. (← The 1955 version. I know this movie is lesser known but it’s an absolute favorite of mine! It’s a tradition we started with my extra dad. You can read about it here on IMDBand then add it to your TBW list this year!)
Tap/click to see this Winter Cottage as a greeting card:)
Ah, yes! Romance! I dislike hallmark movies and the vast majority of romance novels. But authentic romance is such a gift. And Christmas is such a romantic time, with parties and music, chilly walks and snuggles (even if with your furry friend!), and hot chocolate. (Chef’s kiss.) Call me hopeless, but I think God invented romance and invites us into the greatest romance of all time. The liturgical calander reminds us of this as the seasons turn.
But then there’s the tough stuff. I know it can be hard to see past all of the difficult things, especially on these dark cold days. We miss the people we’ve lost. Money is tight. Or circumstances seem to be conspiring against us. Addictions, hurts and the relationships that aren’t resolved glare at us and dare us to have joy despite them. Or maybe you simply don’t feel very merry these days and then it’s so difficult to make the season bright.
When you feel those things, I want to affirm you: It’s not anti-Christmas of you. In fact, these are precisely why. The message of Christmas is “goodwill to all men” and “in this world you will have trouble, but fear not. For I (Jesus) have overcome the world”. No matter your race, religion, creed, cultural background, station, or current situation in life, the whole point of Christmas is that there is hope for you now. Not only after certain things change, or after you heal or once you’re making a bit more money; now.
If a Christian has ever made you feel like the message of the Bible isn’t for you, (because you’re not _ enough or…) I’m sorry. Here are some verses from the book of John for you this Christmas:
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of humanity. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 6 A man came, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This one came for a witness, in order that he could testify about the light, so that all would believe through him. 8 That one was not the light, but came[e] in order that he could testify about the light. 9 The true light, who gives light to every person, was coming into the world.
14 And the Word became flesh and took up residence among us, and we saw his glory, glory as of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Or, in the words of Aragorn (from the movies, sorry:):
This day does not belong to one Man,
But to All.
Let us together rebuild this World,
That we may share in the
Days of Peace...King Aragorn's Benediction
If Christmas cheer is hard to muster, I encourage you to look for hope and light. Because it matters. The more of this human race that has joy in the middle of this disaster of the 21st century, the better for us all. We could slog through our Christian life without joy. But choosing not to press in and allow the Spirit to produce that fruit in us a victory for our enemy because it is to deny that Jesus already won the victory even though he has not yet removed his opposition and taken full possession of the land. He has won, is winning and will win the victory though. And he holds out the fruit of joy for us while we, his loyal servants, carry the news of his victory through these occupied lands.
So, I’ll add our last song here (okay maybe two, because they both bring me joy:) and just have a short closing thought below. I hope you have time to listen. But more than that, I hope you take time to make him room, to make room for joy. If you seek it (with all your heart), you will find it.
I’ll finish with this rambling post with one last thought: Although I want you to have joy year-round, no matter your circumstances, I think it’s especially important at Christmastime. If we cannot choose light over darkness and joy over our cares as we celebrate the day the Light came down, how do we expect to overcome throughout the seasons?
I know that joy is easier to find in some years than in others. It's certainly been harder for me this year, (perhaps this has something to do with the rambling on, trying to inspire us both in the process) but I refuse to let this season slip by without trying my best. Maybe right now you have joy and Christmas cheer overflowing. Please share. (Maybe gently at first.) The rest of us will try not to ‘Bah! Humbug’ you while we catch on. Please continue to lead us back to the Source of joy.
I have said these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have affliction, but have courage! I have conquered the world.”
John 16:33
If you’re enjoying the music in these posts, here’s my main Christmas playlist:)
