Don’t Waste Advent, by Joan Watson

By Joan Watson, Integrated Catholic, Dec. 4, 2020

Joan Watson was born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana, but college and graduate school took her to Virginia, Ohio, and Rome. After graduating from Christendom College with a B.A. in History and Franciscan University with a M.A. in Theology …

“In this year, we need the message of Advent even more than ever.”

As I written here before, Advent is my favorite liturgical season. There are many reasons for this, and part of it is probably the same reason that I intentionally chose orange to be my favorite color when I was in eighth grade – it seemed neglected and in need of a fan.

Advent is the most counter-cultural season we celebrate. People look at me askance when I don’t start listening to Christmas music the day after Halloween or put up my tree the day after Thanksgiving. Am I a grinch that hates Christmas? Of course not. I love Christmas – and that’s why it’s worth waiting for.

Our world doesn’t know how to wait.  It doesn’t know how to postpone answering immediate wants and desires. Is it easy to postpone celebrating?  Of course not.  But it’s a small reminder to us that the story of my life is much bigger than my pleasure here on earth. Believe me, when Christmas rolls around, I enjoy it as much as the next person – and probably a little more. Because the only person who can truly feast is the one who has fasted.  …

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