Sunday Homily 11-27-11, 1st Advent
Readings: Isaiah 63, 16-19, 64, 2-7, We are the clay, you the potter; Psalm 80, Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved; 1 Corinthians 1, 3-9, I give thanks to my God always on your account; Mark 13, 33-37, Be alert, you do not know when the time will come.
Isaiah: One of the big 3 Prophets, mostly because of the size of the book. At least 3 writers put this book together and this is number 3.
Thanksgiving History: Everyone knows about the first Thanksgiving in 1602 with the Pilgrims and the Indians eating together, the Mayflower, and Plymouth Rock. Here are 5 facts that people do not hear about usually.
1. When did Thanksgiving begin? Our ancestors have celebrated end of harvest feasts of gratitude for centuries. Lincoln first focused on a national feast; FDR established the national holiday in 1941.
2. The pilgrims did not know they were pilgrims. They called themselves saints, and strangers were called non-saints. The word pilgrim came along in the 18 hundreds, 2 centuries later. They were not even Puritans, but separatists. They split off from the Church of England, old Henry VIII's church, and the Puritans did not split off.
3. The Separatists did not come to establish religious freedom. They came for religious freedom for their religion and only their religion.
4. The Mayflower returned to England, was torn apart, and its beams were used to build a barn in Buckinghamshire (just north of London & east of Oxford).
5. How did the Indians & Separatists communicate? The Indians were Algonquians & one of them, Squanto had actually lived in England some years. He returned to his tribe and taught his friend, Samoset English. It was Samoset who communicated with the Separatists, & the Indians taught them to raise corn, to fish, and to hunt. In the first winter half of the 100 Separatists died before the Indians taught them how to survive.
How Prepare for a Marvelous Christmas
When I returned to the States in the late 80's and began to work full time as a spiritual director & psychotherapist, I was struck every fall by a tension that I found in some people. They were nervous about the coming Christmas season.
I remember people bringing this up as early as the beginning of the school year in September. Certainly by October and most certainly by Halloween. People were tense and anxious because of memories of bad Christmas seasons.
Because of this and because we are just beginning the season of Advent, the season of preparation for Christmas, I would like to review some ways to prepare ourselves for a marvelous Christmas. I have 5 observations.
1. First, beware of fear and depression. I read Mark's story about the man traveling abroad and I can get spooked into thinking God is going to grab me when I'm not looking. Nonsense.
Depression seems to surface more during the Christmas season, because of at least one reason. Expectations. We expect more out of the Christmas season, peace, love, warm relationships, gifts. When the reality comes in below the expectation I have, I get disappointed and maybe depressed. Memories of disappointing Christmases can also depress me.
2. Unlike Mark's warning about sleeping, I would propose that we need more rest at this darker time of the year. Our ancestors used to sleep when it went dark. Today we force ourselves to stay awake and lights keep us awake. Doctors are saying we need more sleep in the dark days of winter and are recommending, get this, 9 hours. Maybe try an extra hour. Try a siesta.
3. Along with more sleep, try a little more exercise. My internist tells me that he wants me to exercise every day. I do. Walk through the neighborhood. Ride a bike. Along the way look at the colors of the red oaks and Bradford Pear trees.
4. Have you got anything special you do every year for Christmas, during Advent? Something to get you into a Christmas spirit? If not, what about finding something? Two things I have got to do every year: take in a performance of Handel's Messiah and take in the Dallas Symphony Christmas concert. I may get in an extra one or two of these, but I find this so touches my spirit.
I know a few families who tour Christmas lights. Here in Plano is Deer Park. One of the best is Highland Park, Beverly Drive and Armstrong Parkway, both east and west of Preston. In Deer Park, you may walk around. In Highland Park there are horse drawn carriages.
5. Finally, in line with Mark's gospel, watch, watch for the daily miracles and blessings. Review your year for the biggest blessings, like I mentioned before Thanksgiving.
I hope you are not anxious about or nervous about the coming of Christmas. If you are, even more relevent is my question, 'What are you doing to make Christmas this year a beauty?'
Picture 1: 1st Sunday of Advent begins
Picture 2: Mary & Nikki
Picture 3: Advent candle lighting
Picture 4: Barb & Ron after their 40th
Picture 5: Norm
Picture 6: Leo on the move