by Kenneth C. Kroohs

Scripture: Zechariah 14:4-9; Psalm 50:1-6; I Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-31

Advent is much too important to joke away. Our world, our culture ... that set of influences Jesus continually tells us to reject ... can easily consume us (pardon the pun!) during this season.

Let me suggest there is a positive side to that fact. Elizabeth O'Conner writes about the three falls of man (or human beings). The first one of course is at the Garden of Eden. O'Conner says that the second fall was when the Hebrew people asked God to "give us a king like other nations have". In other words, when the Hebrew people said they would no longer depend on God, but wanted human leadership and authority.

The third fall, in O'Connor's opinion was in the 3rd century after Christ when the Roman Emperor, Constantine, essentially declared Christianity to be the official religion. O'Connor's point .. and many historians and scholars agree ... was that this "fall" was the event that caused Christianity to bend to cultural expectations. Before this, Christianity was an outlaw religion and there was less inclination to succumb to cultural desires. Prior to this fall, Christians had to make a dramatic and clear choice.

Advent can present us with that kind of clear choice. Those 3rd century and later Christians did not have to conform to society -- but were tempted to. We don't need to conform but certainly are tempted!! The focus on material things. The hurriedness of life. Neither of those are Scriptural goals.

So .. as an alternative .. I suggest a focus on Advent as the season it is meant to be. I am not against gift giving or shopping or trees or decorations. I love them all!! In fact, a real high light for me every year is shopping for "angel tree" people.

However, I suggest asking ourselves who we expect to arrive on Christmas day. Maybe even better ... who would we most like to arrive on Christmas day. Santa Claus or Jesus Christ.

And although the Advent season is primarily about Jesus' arrival to the world .. both remembering His first arrival and anticipating His return ... I suggest a focus more on His arrival in our lives. An expectation .. a desire that Jesus enter our lives in some very special way this Christmas.