Diana Butler Bass recently penned an interesting article, “Fox News’ War on Advent,” for the Huffington Post. Unfortunately, the article’s title and Bass’ not-so-subtle rant about Fox News will likely alienate many a North American Christian who might benefit from what she has to say. With that in mind, I’d like to retitle Bass’ article, “The War on Advent,” and rework what she has to say so that it might be a little more reader friendly for those who have a strong affinity for Fox News.
Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Joyful Whatever!
With Christians seeking to expose those who refuse to say “Merry Christmas” as secular collaborators to the War on Christmas, I confess that I am confused…
Did North American Christians get the wrong memo? According to ancient Christian tradition, “Christmas” is not the December shopping season in advance of Christmas Day; rather, it is Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the Twelve Days following that run until early January. During most of December, Christians observe Advent, a four-week season of reflection, preparation and waiting that precedes the yearly celebration of Jesus’ birth. In many mainstream and liturgical (and even liberal and progressive) churches, no Christmas hymn will pass the lips of a serious churchgoer for another two weeks. If you wander into a local Lutheran, Episcopal or Roman Catholic parish, the congregation will still be chanting the ethereal tones of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” or “Watchman, Tell Us of the Night.” There are no poinsettias, no Christmas pageants, no trees or holly, and no red and green altar linens. A few days ago, they might have preached about St. Nicholas — but not Santa Claus. There are no twinkling lights or over-the-top Christmas displays. Just four candles in a simple wreath, two partially burned, two yet to be lit. The mood is somber as December moves toward deeper darkness, and the night lengthens. The world waits, and it is time to prepare for the arrival of God’s kingdom. It is not Christmas. It is Advent.
During these weeks, churches are not merry. There is a muted sense of hope and expectation. Christians recollect God’s ancient promise to Israel for a kingdom where lion and lamb will lie down together. The ministers preach from stark biblical texts about the poor and oppressed being lifted up while the rich and powerful are cast down, about society being leveled and oppression ceasing. Christians remember the Hebrew prophets and long for a Jewish Messiah to be born. The Sunday readings extol social and economic justice, and sermons are preached about the cruelty of ancient Rome and political repression. Hymns anticipate world peace and universal harmony…
[...] Do North American Christians want us all to say “Merry Christmas” so we forget about Advent? These, after all, are the four weeks that the Christian tradition dedicates to God’s vision of justice for the outcast and oppressed, not to celebrating the sound of ringing cash registers or Victorian America values.
Ancient Christian saints, theologians and evangelists would be horrified that those who claim to stand for tradition have forgotten the most important aspect of it…
[...] And maybe, just maybe, the real war of this season is the War on Advent.1
The whole article is well worth the read. Bass’ critique is in many respects spot-on, although I do think she comes across as having an axe to grind with Fox News. She’s right in asserting that a great many Christians are far more concerned about getting seasonal greetings “right” than they are with preparing and living into God’s vision of a new and different reality. All in all, she gives us a lot to think about.
- These exerpts are quoted from Diana Butler Bass’ article, “Fox News’ War on Advent,” over at the Huffington Post. Words in italics represent words and/or phrases that have been replaced and/or added by me. ↩
