A Journey Toward a Simpler, More Meaningful Advent
This time of year, there’s an unmistakable buzz in the air. The days are short, the nights are long, and yet, everything seems to glitter with possibility—or maybe just with the fairy lights strung up in every window. I love the anticipation that comes with December: the familiar sound of carols in every shop, the first whiff of mince pies, the sudden urge to wear jumpers that frankly, should never see the light of day. The Christmas tree takes centre stage, the house smells of cinnamon, and there’s a kind of magic in the way people—even strangers—smile a little more. But in the middle of all that, I find myself asking: are we getting a bit carried away?
The Christmas Chaos We Call “Tradition”
Let’s be honest: for a lot of us, Christmas now means an endless to-do list somewhere between festive and frantic. It’s the season of shopping till we drop, bingeing on everything from holiday films to chocolate, and frantically cramming every possible event into our diaries. Between the Secret Santas, office parties, and family get-togethers, it sometimes feels as though we’re all sprinting a festive marathon with glitter in our hair and receipts in our pockets.
But here’s the thing that niggles at me every year: why does Christmas feel like a race we’re destined to lose? Why do we keep buying more, doing more, and somehow feeling less fulfilled?
Rethinking What Christmas Is Supposed To Be
Somewhere along the way, we started measuring Christmas by the size of the shopping haul, the extravagance of the turkey, and the sheer volume of festive selfies. Growing up, I remember the excitement of the season was in the waiting: the candlelit carol services, the not-so-subtle waiting for presents, the simple joy of being together. But now, the pressure seems to have cranked up. We’re not just celebrating Christmas; we’re producing it, curating it, and sometimes, missing the point altogether.
I often think about the words from Matthew’s gospel: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” It’s a gentle nudge—a reminder that the real treasures of this season can’t be bought, wrapped, or delivered by courier. It’s not about having the fanciest decorations or the priciest presents. It’s about something deeper, something that doesn’t show up on Instagram stories or in our bank statements.
The Juggle Between Joy and Junk
Don’t get me wrong: I love a good Christmas dinner, a silly gift exchange, and a boisterous game of charades as much as anyone. There’s a genuine joy in celebrating, in gathering together, in making memories. But sometimes, it feels as though we’re being pulled in two directions—towards the joy of connection and the burden of consumerism. It’s like there’s an invisible scoreboard keeping track of who’s got the busiest schedule, the most lavish meal, or the flashiest gifts. But is that really what Christmas is about?
What if, instead of chasing a picture-perfect celebration, we leaned into the simplicity of what Christmas is supposed to mean? What if we saw December, and especially Advent, as a time to slow down, unplug, and focus on what actually matters—on faith, family, friends, and hope?
The Heart of Advent (No, It’s Not Just Chocolate Calendars)
Here’s the bit that gets lost in the shuffle: Advent is meant to be a time of preparation, not just for pudding or presents, but for something spiritual. Traditionally, Advent is about waiting—about anticipation, about holding your nerve until the big reveal. It’s four weeks of longing and looking forward, not because Amazon is dropping off a new gadget, but because something miraculous is around the corner.
These days, it sometimes feels like Advent has been hijacked. Instead of patience, we get four weeks of “treat yourself” culture, counting down with calendars filled with chocolate, gin, or even tiny beauty products. Not that there’s anything wrong with a bit of daily joy, but when did the season become a marathon of mini-indulgences rather than a time for reflection?
When the original Advent calendar was conceived, it wasn’t about snacking your way to Christmas—it was a way to mark the days, to build expectation, and to practice patience. It was about making space to wait, because sometimes the waiting is the gift. If we’re honest, those moments of expectation—the hush before the carol starts, the stillness on Christmas Eve—are where the real magic happens.
Generosity Beyond Gift Wrap
It’s easy to get swept up in the idea that generosity equals shopping bags and credit card bills. There’s pressure all around: adverts telling us what our loved ones “really want,” social media feeds overflowing with must-have gifts, and supermarkets that seem to start the Christmas countdown sometime in September.
But genuine generosity isn’t about how much we spend. It’s about how much we care. Sometimes, it’s as simple as making time for someone, sharing a meal, or just being present. The Christmas story itself isn’t about luxury; it’s about humility, hope, and love showing up in unexpected places.
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