Countdown to Christmas

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. Isaiah 9:2 CSB

“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.” I tend to agree with Maya Angelou’s words of wisdom as we enter this Christmas countdown. Many of us have experienced all three, and on rare occasions, on the same day.

Decorating for Christmas is a global ritual that welcomes the holiday season. According to a YouGov survey, 83% of Americans decorate for the holidays, with 79% decorating a Christmas tree. The when of decorating is a personal preference, but among those surveyed, 14% decorate before Thanksgiving, 48% the week after Thanksgiving, 23% the first week of December, and the rest in the second week of December or later. Other countries tend to follow Advent as their guide on when to decorate. I didn’t find any surveys on the percentage of people who struggle with tangled Christmas lights, but I did find that Vermont leads the United States as the number one state for Christmas decorating.

So, why do we decorate? Traditions are a big part of the reason, but many of us see them as a visual reminder of the Good News of Christmas. People want to hear good news, which explains the fascination with the Hallmark Channel’s predictable Christmas movies. The drama is woven into the story until the last few minutes, when everything comes together for the couple.

We decorate and give. The National Retail Federation estimated that in 2024, the United States’ spending averaged $902 per person, including gifts, food, and decorations. They are projecting this will drop to $890 in 2025. Yet, all of this spending amounts to about $950 billion annually.

This might be one reason the “7 gift rule” for Christmas has gained popularity. This is a new idea I came across during my research this year; the concept is to simplify holiday shopping by giving seven gifts to each person in your family. Each gift fits into a specific category: “Something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read, something to do, something to eat, and something for the family.” Some people add an eighth category, something to charity.

We decorate, give, and some even untangle the Christmas lights. We enjoy the Hallmark movies, the brilliant light displays, the Christmas parties, and finally the mountain of unwrapped Christmas presents, but all of these together do not ultimately bring the good news we need. Pastor David Jeremiah says it well, “All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ.”

Sunday, November 30, marked the beginning of Advent, a church tradition that has been part of the Christian community since the 4^th century. Celebrated differently across denominations and faith traditions, it prepares the heart and the church for the coming of Jesus Christ. Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” The various Advent traditions help us keep our focus on Christ throughout a month that can become overwhelming in the busy schedules and activities. Whether part of your Sunday church service or observed at home, it can serve as a visual way to celebrate the Good News of Christmas.

Traditionally, Advent is marked each Sunday by lighting a different candle with a specific symbolic meaning. These five candles help to remind us of the coming of Jesus. “The central themes of Advent include hope, peace, joy, and love. These themes express key aspects of Christ’s coming, both two thousand years ago and in his return: Hope in his promises, peace through his reign, joy in his salvation, and love through his sacrifice.” (Britt Mooney)

The single flame in week one of Advent reminds us of the hope that is found in Jesus. Once we were “the people walking in darkness,” but now “have seen a great light.” That light of hope is found in Jesus.

For week two, we light the second candle of Peace. In a time when anxiety and hopelessness are common, the flames of the Peace candle remind us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God…” (Isaiah 40:1-5)

For week three, the light grows brighter as the candle of Joy is lit. We pray, even in the brokenness, “God, be our joy.” “The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners…And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the LORD to glorify him.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)

For week four, the light of love joins with the other three, bringing light to any room. At the very core of Christmas is the message of love. God literally moves into the neighborhood as Immanuel, bringing salvation, redemption, and a future for all who call upon the name of Jesus. There is no greater message of Christmas than, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

On Christmas Day, as the four candles burn, the fifth candle is lit, the Christ candle. The Christ candle, surrounded by hope, peace, joy, and love, visually conveys the message the world needs. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

The countdown clock towards Christmas ticks faster and faster each year, and you may occasionally need to reach up and stop it. This Christmas, maybe take an extra few minutes to sit and listen to your favorite songs, drink a mug of cocoa a little slower, and just enjoy looking at the untangled lights a little longer. If Jesus is the reason for the season, we may need to let Him have more of the season!

God is great!