Homebodies - Advent... Let the adventure begin

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Published on Sunday, December 13, 2015

By Rita Friesen

The Neepawa Banner

November 28, according to the church calendar, was the First Sunday Of Advent.  The four Sundays preceding Christmas are traditionally geared to celebrating hope, peace, joy and love. For me, Advent is the beginning of the adventure of a ‘faith in God’ filled life.  Along with the hope, peace, joy and love, my journey encompasses pain, loss, despair and discouragement. And here is the miracle of my faith, resting in the never-ending goodness of the Divine Creator, I find that those painful feelings are just that – feelings. Snuggling close to the Creator, listening for the whisper of love, the greatest gift, dispels fear and instills trust. 

Part of the advent adventure has always been to include a Christmas tree in the home. No matter what the historical origins of the decked evergreen are, the presence of a tree filled with significant baubles and twinkling lights caused the inhabitants of our home to slow down. To reflect on the year past, the changes – plus and minus- to slow down and breathe. Soft carols playing, or Christmas pop songs, enhanced the moments. They were magical, sitting with only the glow of the tree lights, perhaps a candle, and music. The tree could be set up the Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent, and no sooner! 

The tree was only a portion of the holiday feels. The crèche, purchased decades ago at Eaton’s, sat atop the piano. The figures a beautiful 10 inches tall. The original carton still contains the lowly stable, the characters in the story and the straw. A little less every year, but enough to set the stage. Added later, a wagon filled with a Victorian family on route to a gathering graced the side table. We searched years to find the right horses to complete the tableau. And then Ed found a set of carollers, also from the Victorian era. These people are closer to 12 inches tall and the scene includes a drummer boy, a lamp post, the singers and a dog. A dancing Snoopy came a little later.  My, how Ed loved Christmas!  

Last year, the village, the crèche, the carollers and Snoopy were all in place by early October so that Ed could enjoy them one more time. I never did put the tree up. This year, I have toned the decorations down even more. On the bookcase is a lovely hand carved wooden crèche set. Here the family is diminutive, five inches in height. But the message is the same. There is the mother, the father, a babe in the manger, wise men three and a shepherd and sheep. With the arrival of the child, Jesus, the story of faith comes alive in flesh. The way to hope, peace, joy and love is in place. The example is set. Let the adventure begin.