It’s Advent. That might seem like a statement of the obvious, or it might feel like news. So many of us launch headlong into Christmas preparations and the round of carols, parties, presents and food that goes with the season, and the idea of Advent passes us by. And with all there is to do to get ready for the contemporary Christmas, that’s understandable.
The tradition of the church has been, however, to put a pause in before Christmas, in the same way that Lent is placed before Easter, a pause that says: “Something important is about to happen. Let us think about it for a while.” This is a time of preparation and reflection. This is Advent.
We usually find a number of ways to mark this time of year, perhaps following a discipline of prayer, reading a book of Advent themed writings, taking time for retreat, spending time on a quiet day or adopting one of many other practices that can enhance this season before the usual dash into Christmas.
The Christian community I serve here in Victoria is marking Advent with something new, at least it is new to us. We are observing a version of a Mexican tradition called Posada, usually translated as the “lodgings” or the “inns.” In this tradition, Mary and Joseph travel to different houses each day in the week before Christmas and they are welcomed to stay, usually with a party. This carries on until Christmas Eve when, upon arriving at their last destination, there is nowhere for them to stay and they have to find their rest in a stable (usually a pretend stable in a church). Mary and Joseph can be played by children or by adults, or they can be statues carried from place to place. In some villages, there is a great procession from house to house that takes up the last eight days before Christmas.
Our version of this tradition is going to be done in two ways. Firstly, we have a knitted Mary and Joseph (and their Donkey, Hoté) who are making their way around various houses of our community. At each house, there is a prayer to be said and everyone who hosts is invited to take a selfie, which we will share at the end of the season. On Christmas Eve, our figurines will join a complete knitted nativity crèche scene, which we will make up in a special service.
Secondly, we are observing an online Posada, posting daily pictures and reflections with our nativity figures making their way to our Christmas celebrations.
And the reason for doing this, and telling you all about it, is to remind us that we are all on a journey, just as the story of Christ’s birth tells of the journey of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the Magi (the Three Wise Men) to Bethlehem. We are reminding ourselves to stop, take stock, consider all that nurtures and inspires us; we are reminding ourselves to consider the world around us, the creation we are responsible for, the needy, the hungry, the homeless, the refugees and the sick. We are reminding ourselves that for any journey we need to take stock, gather provisions, consider what nurtures us and our part in the world.
It’s worth using Advent for more than shopping and wrapping and busyness. It’s worth taking time for yourself and others. May it be a happy and fruitful time for each of us.
Alastair McCollum is from the West Country of England. He is father of two and husband of one; rector of St. John the Divine Anglican Church in Victoria. He has a passion for the gospel, motorbikes and bike culture, worship, philosophy, theology, guitars, single malt whisky, real ale, cinema and all things French.
Church website: www.stjohnthedivine.bc.ca
blog: fracme.blogspot.ca
