Simply waiting

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Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent for me is a quiet, waiting season. I think it's my very favorite season of the liturgical year, for its beauty and peace, and anticipation. And the music, too. The previous church we attended, though somewhat theologically wayward, did introduce me to the idea of using blue for Advent instead of purple. Little do many of us Catholics know that there's a choice; churches can decorate in either blue or purple. Not for Lent, just Advent.

I suppose most churches use purple because it's easier- purple for two seasons of the year saves money and materials. I prefer the blue, not just because it's my personal favorite, but because I agree with the parish's art and environment minister- it best represents the "night." Night itself is a good symbol of the quiet waiting for the baby Jesus, the imagery of his parents traveling to Bethlehem, and the star rising above his birthplace. 

That church used a beautiful deep blue, somewhere between royal and indigo. Purple, used in the season of Lent, is of course a royal color, but the season is very solemn and penitential. There's some of that feeling to Advent as well, but it's more a joyous solemnity, a sweet anticipation. Blue suits that feeling for me. I purchased a miniature advent wreath at our cathedral today. Of course, the candles in it are purple, not blue, but I've placed the little metal wreath on top of a blue plate that I painted several years ago. I think it looks just right. I don't even think I'll add any flora to it this year. 

This year I'm desperate to keep things simple. Last year things were simple out of financial necessity. This year, it' s a challenge because we're better off and it's tempting to buy more and do more. I don't want to lose that blessed gratitude and simplicity for anything. God is near to the poor, and though we aren't exactly rich, I don't want us to have any barriers to Him through our new prosperity.

We've spent more on "unnecessities" lately just because we can, or because of convenience (laziness, really). I hope to stop that and focus on what's in my heart and what is in the heart of God. Our new wreath is metalwork, and it features the words "Hope, Peace, Joy, Love." That's the focus of Advent. 

We had a lovely time at my brother-in-law's house two days ago for Thanksgiving but I was chagrined to see their Christmas tree already up. For Heaven's sake, Advent hasn't even begun.  I expected as much of the stores, but not our family. I only decorated marginally for fall, and that unraveled quickly because we moved in mid-October. But I don't want to jump right to Christmas- there is a waiting time, and I feel led to experience it. In a small way, this instant leap makes me sad... At dinner last night, the waitress brought us our eggnog gelato, and it hit me as I took my first bite- when I was a child, eggnog was considered very special, and we didn't partake of it until Christmas Day, or the last week of Advent at the earliest. I think it's a small example of how far we haven't come in modern times. There's no more patience for special things to come. We have to have it all, and have to have it now. 

I really want to celebrate the "Advent-ness" of Advent, and not just leave it in the church building. I want the feeling in our home to help us stay mindful. I don't have an Advent calendar, I didn't see one in the gift shop today, but hopefully I can find one somewhere. Most of all though, I hope to spend time in prayer and meditation, and carry that spirit with me wherever I am. I want to inspire my husband too, so that he will release his stress into the hands of Jesus, and be filled with peace and joy. Amen.