Are We There Yet? A Defense of Advent

            Most parents have experienced cries of agony from the backseat of the minivan, “Are we there yet?!?” Sometimes these are audible sounds of boredom, been there, done that. At other times, they are sounds of glee, joy and expectation. The excitement is ramped up to such a level that each passing mile is agony. You are ready to burst with joy when you finally reach your destination. It hurts not to be able to release all this pent up excitement. Drive faster, we can’t wait to get there!
            This is the purpose of Advent on the church calendar. Too many view Advent as a season of killing joy, as a sense of depravation. In actuality, it is not depravation but preparation. It’s time when our expectations over the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is heightened to such a degree that we feel ready to burst. We look back to his first coming and all that he accomplished for us when he was present with us in the flesh 2000 years ago. But, we also look forward to his coming again, his glorious return at some point in the future. When he comes again he will inaugurate his kingdom and initiate his full and total reign over all things.
            Advent is not a season to be taken lightly or overlooked completely. I have never met a family that was thoroughly prepared for the arrival of a new baby. Christmas is no different for a follower of Jesus Christ. As we gear up to celebrate, we have to ask ourselves if we have done everything we can do to celebrate the occasion? The focus should not be on perfectly decorated tree with exquisitely wrapped presents under it. It is not about stocking hung with care and unstirred mice. Our focus and effort needs to be on preparing our hearts – whether for the first time or again for the first time – to receive the coming Savior of the world.
            I recently saw a lighted sign that read: “Stop Premature Christmas Decorating.” This sign was in contrast to much of the culture that started singing Christmas hymns and selling Christmas gifts as soon as Halloween ended. There was a meme I saw on Facebook that said: “Halloween Is Over, Let the Christmas Carols Begin!” Starting too early to engage in the season can cause burnout by the time Christmas actually arrives.
            There is a syndrome called “combat fatigue.” It is also known as “battle fatigue” and is experienced by soldiers due to the stress of war. I think there is another syndrome known as “Christmas fatigue.” This is suffered by those who start preparing and celebrating for Christmas prematurely and when the day comes, they are ready for the whole thing to be over with. This certainly isn’t the Christmas spirit. Due to this syndrome, the tree and all the decorations are taken down the day after and no more thought is given to the import of the occasion or the significance of the person whose birth was celebrated.
            Have you ever watched as your mother or wife mix cake batter knowing you are going to be able to lick the bowl? And, when you get your chance, you want to get every last morsel and lick the bowl clean? This is Christmas. We have to wait for the time to be right, all the ingredients to be included, and then handed the bowl. Starting Christmas too early robs us of the exuberant expectation and when it finally gets here, we leave morsels in the bowl because we are fatigued, too overstimulated to engage and enjoy in what God has given us.
            Advent is the season of “Are we there yet?” No we aren’t. Not quite but enjoy the ride. It will come soon and then we can celebrate! Then we can enjoy and our joy will be complete.