Creating Space this Advent
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And if you’re like me, this season might fill you with different thoughts and emotions! Excitement, anticipation… and anxiety.
Why does a beautiful season like Advent tend to bring about anxiety?
That’s what I’ve been asking myself. And instead of judging myself for those feelings, I’ve been getting curious.
Since emotions come from thoughts, I’ve been trying to be aware of what thoughts I keep thinking about Advent. One thought I keep thinking is: “I don’t know how to wait to celebrate Christmas until Dec. 25!” That thought leads me to feeling guilty, and then I focus on all that is hard: NOT listening to Christmas music, NOT getting out the decorations, and RUSHING to get all the presents bought before Advent-which by the way has never happened.
So this Advent I am getting curious about why I think those things mentioned above are wrong? Why do I think I shouldn’t listen to Christmas music? Why do I think I shouldn’t get out decorations until Christmas gets closer? Why do I think I shouldn’t buy presents during Advent?
Maybe because that’s what I think the “good Catholic mom” does. And I realize I have a picture in my mind that isn’t based on what God is inviting ME to.
This awareness has brought me to the conclusion that instead of focusing on WAITING until Dec. 25th to start celebrating Christmas, what if I changed my focus to creating space to PREAPRE? What if I saw the things I mentioned above: listening to Christmas music, decorating, and buying presents, as part of that preparation? Instead of things I shouldn’t do.
And then I can create the space to do this within Advent! Such as listening to Advent music (and the fun Christmas songs too) while I work at home. And planning our decorating to use that as a prayerful part of Advent, such as waiting to put the decorations on the tree until the 3rd Sunday of Advent, but still enjoying the tree with lights now. And the gifts? Well since I already missed the cutoff for having the shopping done, what if I had compassion on myself and did my best to not be consumed with the gifts but saw them as a way I can prepare as well?
This leads me to more peace and excitement. Not that the anxiety will never come back. But when it does, I can get curious again and ask why instead of judging myself!
Praying for a peaceful and blessed Advent for you, my friend!
