Christmas season has always been my favorite time of year. It’s so sad to see the season end. It’s January 2nd as I write this message. The Christmas tree, the ornaments and all the lights have been put away.

My wife is heading back to work after her holiday break and everything seems to be returning to business as usual.

There is something special about the Christmas season. Even with non-Christians there seems to be a spirit of peace that permeates the atmosphere during the Christmas season.

Our church observes Advent, along with churches and individual Christians worldwide every year during the Christmas season.

Advent is a term that I’ve heard over the years but never really took the time to learn about. This year I decided to at least find out what the word means so that I wouldn’t be ignorant of something that those around me seemed to hold so dear.

The spirit of Giving. The spirit of Love. The spirit of Peace, the spirit of Joy and everything else that comes along with the celebration of our Savior should remain in our hearts year round and not be limited to a particular time of year.

In my research, I found out that Advent is a period of spiritual preparation in which many Christians make themselves ready for the coming or birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Celebrating Advent typically involves a season of prayer, fasting, and repentance, followed by anticipation, hope and joy.

Many Christians celebrate Advent not only by thanking God for Christ’s first coming to earth as a baby, but also for His presence among us today through the Holy Spirit, and in preparation and anticipation of His final coming.

After learning the basics of what the Advent season means to so many, my first response was, “Isn’t this what we are supposed to be doing all the time?”

It seems that the principles of Advent encompass the core of our Christianity. If that’s the case, shouldn’t the Christian be in a perpetual state of Advent?

I understand that we celebrate the specific date that our Savior was born as December 25th. But in my mind, the celebration of the fact that He was born into the world should be an all year celebration.

The fact that we limit Christmas or Advent to a particular season means that at the end of the season, we pack up our celebratory mindset and store it away until next year. This shouldn’t be the case.

The spirit of Giving. The spirit of Love. The spirit of Peace, the spirit of Joy and everything else that comes along with the celebration of our Savior should remain in our hearts year round and not be limited to a particular time of year.

Christmas Season All Year Long for the Christian

As we begin the New Year, I encourage you to keep the spirit of Advent alive in your hearts and in your households.

Keep the supreme act of love that the Father God showed toward us through the giving of His only Son in the forefront of your mind.

Pray without ceasing throughout the year. If directed to, fast as the Lord leads you. Be quick to repent when repentance is necessary.

Be mindful of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life and depend on Him to lead and guide you daily.

And as you live each day serving others along the way, keep your eyes skyward, keeping a watch for His return and the opportunity to worship at His feet throughout eternity.

For the Christian, the Christmas season is a season that we can enjoy all year long.

 
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