Advent season has always been for me a time for joy. We would decorate our house and tree, attend festive parties with friends and colleagues, even shopping could be a whole lot of fun if you did it the way my friend and I did on Christmas Eve. I attended a lot of Christmas pageants, and church services where the church music filled my heart with joy. It is a time to be generous, thankful, and forgiving.
As I look back on earlier Advent seasons, lots of things happened to bring me joy, and those memories sustain the more subdued Advents that are now necessitated by separation from family and growing older. I reflect on those moments where something special happened during the Holiday season, and I experienced that special joy because circumstances placed me in a unique place or situation.
The transition to these quieter Advents has profoundly clarified my anticipation. While the grand external celebrations have naturally faded, the core meaning remains—perhaps even stronger and more focused. I find myself leaning into the image of God not as some all-powerful Oz constantly judging and sending thunderbolts and tragedy, but rather as the kind, generous, and loving one whose coming we anticipate during Advent. This shift from outward fanfare to inward peace allows me to practice the core virtues of generosity and forgiveness in a deeper, more intentional way. My earlier memories are not just nostalgia; they are anchors, reminding me of the sheer, boundless joy possible in life. The true gift of Advent is realizing that this source of love is a quiet, sustained presence that never diminishes, regardless of our current ability to participate in the external celebrations. In the stillness, the anticipation of light feels brighter than ever.
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