I’m pretty poor about acknowledging the official “Church Calendar.” I never darkened the doorway of a seminary. My training, such as it was, came only from attending various churches.
I know the Christmas season, though. My wife exhibits a burst of creative busyness as she decorates for Christmas. She just shone with joy at bringing out the Christmas plates and coffee mugs. The window boxes at windows facing the cul-de-sac sport greenery and lights with electric candles in the windows. One tree is up. The second one shortly. All the fall and Thanksgiving stuff is put away awaiting my climbing the ladder to store the boxes.
Stores have displayed Christmas stuff for some time now. Retailers depend upon Christmas buying shopping for their annual profits. Friday after Thanksgiving, the restaurant at Wabash and Adams in Chicago played secular Christmas music over the noise of lively conversations.
There’s joy at familiar music. Joy with familiar decorations. Stress at attending many parties. Stress from searching for the perfect gifts. Stress at strained family bonds.
Is this Advent?
Faith Venture 
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