December 1st 2008

I find myself getting frustrated that Christmas arrives earlier and earlier each year. As we begin this holy season of Advent, we are well aware that Christmas is only just around the corner - thank you Sainsburys, WH Smiths etc etc etc..! In fact I wouldn't be surprised that, as you read this, I am feeling even more wound up as the first Christmas card has flopped through the letter box. I guess part of my irritation is the fact that Advent has become a season of deadlines to prepare for Christmas.

We are all driven by these artificial constraints on time. As I write, my wife's sister has just phoned and chatted with her about what what she would like for her birthday - which fell in October! It's hard not to feel sad that the day has well passed with no present, but that said, isn't it better to have a present given in love, even if it is not at 'the right date?'

God's gifts are not delivered at a date, to a deadline but come unexpectedly, and yet somehow at the right time. Advent is a time for us to step away from being driven by deadlines, but instead to allow the unexpected arriving of God and His gifts to surprise and delight us.

In Advent we are taught by the church to expectantly wait for God's timing. To take time out. To put time aside. To make time. As Christians we long for God's timing, we look for it, we even try to create it, and yet as we wait we also commodify that most precious of gifts - space, a pause, some quiet. It is into this space, uncreated by us, but gifted to us, that God comes.

We do not have to buy into the pre-Christmas busyness and spending, but we can buy into Advent's promise of liberation, freedom, space and hope.

Practicalities:

* Prune the card list - less to send - more time!
* Don't write 'Must see you this year' unless you actually mean it. If you don't mean it why send the card?
* Give to charity as much as you spend - should help get the balance right
* Walk instead of driving if you can

Use the time saved to wait and see if that time is God's time to give to you, to come to you, to speak to you, to listen to you.