Advent Explained. Time To Get Sad, Y’all.

Advent, Day 1.

Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” It’s the 4 week season’o’preparation for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.

Now you know that ANY party worth its weight involves massive preparation. It took 8 months to plan my wedding for crying out loud…and what a party it was. Worth every moment of prep.

As my fam & I think about celebrating the birth of Jesus it’s REALLY HELPFUL to engage in the season of Advent lest we get caught up in Christmas shopping, Christmas parties, baking, over-eating & getting, getting, getting. None of those of things are bad at all, not in any way. However, we all know ANY good thing can be over-used and become a giant distraction. Pinterest, anyone?

So. Advent is reflective time, to help us focus and refocus, focus and refocus back on celebrating Jesus’ coming to the Earth. For Dave & I, one of the basic tenets of our faith is that Jesus came to earth, as a sticky baby, born to a virginal chick named Mary. Celebrating this fantastically miraculous arrival is only second to celebrating Him giving His life as a ransom for the combined sins of mankind. In a nutshell.

So for Christians, the time leading up to Christmas is –rather, it should be– a time to thoughtfully reflect on why we are pretty stoked Jesus came to earth for our sorry selves…because, of course we believe that without Jesus doing a selfless act to pay for our collective sins we’re well…screwed.

I won’t speak for all Christians (imagine that!), but I, Grace Biskie AM very happy about that I decided to trust in Jesus and who He said he was. And I continue to trust in who He IS in my life right now. Which, for the record is the BEST part of my life and that includes my husband and children, home and possessions. Yes, I love Jesus more than I love my husband and my children. I know that sounds so Jesus-Freak-Crazy-Weirdo-Spiritual-Nutbag-ish, but, oh well. My husband and my children can never love me as thoroughly and completely, purely and productively as God. Neither have saved my mind, heart, soul & strength. They don’t re-awaken dead parts of my soul the way God has, nor have they provided me with trustworthy, ongoing, consistent comfort, hope and peace that cannot be removed from me. My husband and my children can be taken from me, choose to leave me, stop loving me and death can and will separate us, at least for a time (as I do believe in heaven). As for as God/Jesus/Holy Spirit…we’re golden, baby. =)

I don’t consciously choose to put all of my hope in my relationship with Dave, or with my kids or with my job, or with my #winning smile (but often still do). But if I had put my hope in those things, I’d all ready be utterly disappointed as I have seen happen to so many who put their entire identity in their spouse, children &/or occupation, etc..

Besides, what can it hurt since everyday Jesus is helping to be a better person, calling me to LAY DOWN MY LIFE for my husband and my children and even *gasp* my sworn enemies? Trust me, my faith means I’m doing more good and less harm to myself and others for loving Jesus above all else.

Man, that was a tangent.

Advent isn’t…

Anyway, Advent isn’t just thinking fondly about the fact that Jesus came to earth, born into a scandal (i.e. did Joseph knock her up or was Jesus REALLY miraculously conceived?), born into back-roads, Hicksville itself (i.e. Bethlehem) to impoverished unwed parents while there was a FABULOUSLY wealthy kingdom just a few countries over (China). Advent is doing what John the Baptist said, “Prepare the way for the Lord.”

Advent is…

Advent is also about being hopeful that Jesus will come to earth again like He said He would. So, in a way it’s about tapping into that sense of expectant waiting, knowing that OUR WORLD IS A HOT, FRIGGIN’ MESS and that nothing is as it should be (i.e. all over the world, every day, every hour, three month old babies –and younger– are being raped in their tiny genitals), and we are counting on –expecting– that one day Jesus is going to make everything right. Some how, some way. I do not know the “what”, I do not understand how & I do not trifle with details I just know that it WILL HAPPEN.

Like I said before, all my eggs are in the Jesus basket. I love Him. I trust Him.

Advent activities are supposed to help us recognize how fallen we really are, how broken every human is, how discombobulated every country is and even how restless the earth itself is with its increasing numbers of tsunami’s and earthquakes. Yeah, IT IS super depressing to deliberately consider all this while everyone else is running around having an actual MERRY Christmas but, again the Advent season is about preparation because on Christmas we partay! =)

Have you ever noticed that it’s easier to recognize the wonderful things in life after you have reflected on the piss-poor things? Yep, that’s Advent. Willingly embracing the sadness of my obnoxious behavior, the decaying earth, and the serious horrific tragedies plaguing the world’s people and children day-to-day encourages me to be counter-cultural. It encourages me not to merely focus on my own happiness which –if you haven’t gotten the memo– is apparently supposed to be the goal of every red-blooded American. The pursuit of happiness…what a bunch of b.s.hogwash.

If you don’t believe moi, ask Brad Pitt.

Even one of richest, most beautiful men in the world, enjoying artistically satisfying and meaningful work, incredible opportunities for charity and service including the ability to adopt several international children and on top of all that is gettin’ bizzay with Angelina Jolie itself, doesn’t want to put all his stock in happiness. He finds happiness “over-rated.”

Well here here, Bradley. Finally, someone famous said it. (Besides me, of course).

Awesome. So what do we do for Advent?

I’ll be going through the book Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year. I’ve been using the book 3-5 times a week as a devotional and I LOVE IT PASSIONATELY. During Advent the book takes you through a selection of seven Psalms connected with Advent themes and gives you prayers to pray through considering all of the things I mentioned above.

You should TOTALLY read this with me! I’d love to share insights, etc. and gather a raucous conversation –including those of you who don’t follow Jesus. I would love and welcome your perspective as well.

Above is what today’s study looked like: it took me about 15 minutes. As you can see, I like to underline/highlight all up in my books! The book goes through the entire calendar year and maps out daily devotionals until the year 2025. I’ll be 49 by the time I’m done with it. I really feel like I am getting my money’s worth! =)

As an example, today’s prayer reads:

Living God, I confess the slant of my heart to hate you and my neighbor. But that sounds so harsh–I’m not that bad, am I God? Yet if I am brutally honest I see that I’m in deeper than I dare to admit, unless I am born again by your Spirit. Fill me with the greater hope this Advent season that in Christ’s love I am on my way to new life. In the Savior’s name, amen.

Dang! “…the slant of my heart to hate you…” whew! So true, right?! If I’ve hated anyone with my actions it’s God & man. See?! This book is on point. No matter where you are spiritually, it’s just GOOD to reflect. Examine. Get uncomfortable. Complexify.

Don’t be ashamed no matter what your starting point. “Practicing” Advent & Lent are entirely new to me. I didn’t grow up in these traditions AT ALL. I practice them now because I want to and because I love to. So. If you join up with this wagon, there’s no right or wrong way to do it.