Advent Season

It’s the second week of Advent. The theme is Peace.
If only.

We’re living in times where peace seems elusive. I’m reminded of the first line of the song Let There Be Peace on Earth: “Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.” We cannot depend on principalities nor governments to be peacemakers. They seem to be the provokers of conflict.

We have to hold world leaders' feet to the fire.
We have to be loud.
We have to be strong.
We have to be unrelenting.
There is no compromise. Peace is not weakness. Peace is strength. Peace is love manifested. Peace begins with me.

But this is not what I wanted to talk about.

I want to talk about the commercialization of Advent.

I remember seeing Advent calendars at my friends’ homes. They were filled with candies that counted down the days in December until Christmas Day. They were part of their yearly decorations. They were cute, but who eats one Hershey’s Kiss or one mini peanut butter cup? PLEASE.

We didn’t have one. An Advent calendar big enough for five kids would’ve taken up a whole door! Instead, Mom and Dad just had candies ready in bags around the house.

My daughter is doing this for her son. She made an Advent calendar with a dual purpose. Not only is it a countdown for Christmas, it’s a countdown for my son-in-law’s leave from deployment. My sweet four-year-old grandson is not only excited about the candies—he knows how many days until DaDa will be home. I’m totally good with this.

What I am disturbed about are the Advent calendars I see in department stores or online. These are infuriating. You know the ones: The 24 Days of Beauty, The 12 Days of Luxury Chocolate, or even The 25 Days of Beans. Yes, it’s a real thing. Bush’s Beans has an Advent calendar.

Some of these are pricey. They range from around $20 to over $1,000. You open a door each day to receive a sample of makeup or skincare (or… beans?). What does this have to do with the Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, or Love?

Do you Hope you’ll get a positive ROI—return on investment?
Are you at Peace receiving a chocolate bonbon that may cost $10 each?
You may have Joy remembering to open each day.
Do you Love that the money spent on the Advent calendar could have gone to children living in a shelter?

I have not, nor will I purchase an Advent calendar. I will donate to the children’s ministry in my church to help make “Blessing Bags” for the homeless. I will donate my time to serve at a shelter. I will participate in my community choir to perform a free Christmas concert.

So yes—I’m mad about the commercialization of Advent. Have we forgotten the Advent concepts?

Advent themes don’t have to be solely Christian concepts. I think most people would agree the world would be a better place if we had Hope that goodness still exists, Peace within ourselves and among nations, and Joy and Love to share.

I’m not going to judge if you purchase an Advent calendar. What you do with your money is your own business. 

My challenge for you is to think about the reason for Advent—and remember to seek Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love all year long.

Blessings,

Bethanne