“For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” (1 John 2:16 NLT)
The season of Advent is a time of expectant waiting for the coming of Jesus. Advent used to be known as a time of fasting in preparation for Christmas. Christmas has long been overtaken by commercialism, but Advent was still relatively unsullied...or so I thought. This morning, I read a news story that ticked me off: Advent calendars dispensing bottles of whiskey for each day leading up to Christmas is now a popular selling item.
Some politicians get riled up over the use of the phrase ‘Happy Holidays’ instead of ‘Merry Christmas.’ I would be much more impressed if they got upset about the commercialization of holy days. I guess that wouldn’t be a popular stance with businesses or the average voter. We argue about the terminology on coffee cups and cards, while we unthinkingly participate in the desecration of what is divine. These trivial details distract us from what is really happening. We have gotten sucked into a world where materialism, achievement, possessions, and physical pleasure are revered while the truly sacred is ignored.
The “Like” above is really “Love”. I also heard this about the Advent calendar. Today, instead, I will focus on the fact it is 25 days until the celebration of the coming of our Lord Jesus and have a Gratitude that Merry Christmas was how I was raised.
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