These days, it’s not Christmas until Mariah Carey starts singing.
In 1994, she released “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” a song The New Yorker described as “one of the few worthy modern additions to the holiday canon.”
You’ve probably heard it – it runs repeatedly on the radio throughout November and December, and has sold over 16 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time as well as the best-selling Christmas single by a female artist.
It is fitting, therefore, that at precisely 12:01 AM on November 1 every year, Carey releases a video marking the beginning of the Christmas season. Each year, she joyfully announces, “It’s time!”
But is it really? In the Christian Church, the weeks leading up to Christmas are traditionally not part of the Christmas season. The weeks before Christmas are called Advent. The word “advent” means “coming.” Advent is about getting ready for Jesus’ coming at Christmas.
Advent is a time of preparation marked by Advent wreaths and Advent calendars that help us count down the days to Christmas and point our eyes to the real reason for the season.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m no Ebenezer Scrooge. I love Christmas music – even Mariah Carey’s song. I love Christmas parties – even in December. In our family, we put up our Christmas tree as soon as Thanksgiving is over.
You are not sinning by celebrating Christmas early.
But I think we’re missing something when we as churches and individual Christians skip over Advent. The season of Advent is a time to quietly prepare our hearts and minds for the birth of our Savior. Advent is a time of repentance – a time to recognize that, because of our sinful and stubborn hearts, God had to come to this world, be born in a barn, and die on a cross to save us.
Advent helps us remember what Christmas is all about.
When we skip Advent, we easily get lost in the lights and presents and Santa Claus. We get caught up in the stress and frenzy of deadlines. Or we fall into the trap of thinking Christmas is simply about a cute baby in a manger.
Christmas isn’t about Santa. It’s not about family. It’s not about glittering decorations or twinkling lights.
Christmas is about the cross.
Christmas is about God taking on flesh to suffer the death we deserve. Advent helps us remember that. It prepares our hearts and focuses our minds on why Jesus came. It’s a wonderful time of year.
So, go ahead and play your Christmas music already in December – even Mariah Carey. Put up your Christmas tree. Go to your Christmas parties. But don’t forget about Advent.
This year, take the time to put up an Advent wreath in your home and light the candles. Get an Advent calendar. Even just a few minutes each evening with an Advent calendar can help you refocus on Jesus amidst the holiday bustle.
So, take the time. Prepare your heart and mind. Christmas is coming.
But for now, it’s time … for Advent.
Pastor Andrew Schroer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas. You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving” and “364 Days of Devotion,” on Amazon.com.
