The Home Stretch to Christmas

Beginning yesterday, the Sunday before Christmas, the Church began to celebrate the Feast of the Coming in the Flesh of God. I almost don’t want to use the word Christmas since the word has become so commercialized. It might sound trivial, but if you’ve been a follower of my blog for any length of time, I believe in the small details when it comes to living the Orthodox Christian Life. But….Christmas is coming!

Since mid-November the Church has invited us to fast and increase our spiritual preparation to meet Christ. I’ve begun to think this might be the hardest part of being an Orthodox Christian in America. For weeks leading up to Christmas, our society is celebration mode, while we are invited by the Church to be in preparation mode. We have been invited, and even hosted so many Christmas parties, that by the time Christmas arrives this Saturday, many of us will to so tired of Christmas that we just want it to be over. This makes me sad.

In just a few days, we will gather in the Church with our brothers and sisters, many of whom we have not seen since last Christmas. Some may even stay for the entire Liturgy, while others will come light a candle, sit for a few minutes, and leave to celebrate Christmas with their family. Either way, we will gather to sing praises to God in celebration of His Birth. The question is, how do we bridge the gap between “We’re tired of Christmas!” and “Let’s celebrated!” in today’s society?

Brethren, recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on the prisoners, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. “For yet a little while, and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry; but my righteous one shall live by faith.” – Hebrews 10.32-38

In today’s reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews, we are reminded that our lives will go through different phases of joy and struggle. There was a time, and there will be a time again I pray, that we “joyfully accepted” that the world lived differently than we live. This is one of the periods of struggle for us as Orthodox Christians specifically. With just a few days left in our preparation, take full advantage of the Church’s invitation, and increase the intensity of your spiritual preparation. Skip a party, fast, and come to Church for one of the special services beside Christmas Liturgy.

We’re in the home stretch, and “The coming one shall come and shall not tarry.” Christmas is almost here. Just don’t arrive one that glorious day burned out on “The Season.” Arrive ready to celebrate the Birth of God, the Coming in the Flesh of Our Creator.