When the Homily is about Immunology

Advent vs. Christmas in November

Sometimes we Orthodox experience a cultural clash. I have just been invited to a "Christmas" Party some two weeks before Christmas - smack dab in the midst of our Advent Fast.

Though I do not know what things are like now, as early as 50 years ago, Christmas in Western Europe was "celebrated" quite differently than what had and has evolved here in America. I recall my priest relating a story about the Von Trapp family (of Sound of Music fame) when they had experienced their first Christmas in the USA. Apparently Maria was shocked to hear Christmas Hymnns being played in the local market well before Christmas day had arrived. The reason she was so shocked was because the Christian Tradition is NOT the commercialized, "party-it-up", weeks in advance attitude we seem to have regarding the so called "holiday season."

You always hear people complain about how early the commercial "celebrations" begin and indeed I was amazed to see snow-ridden landscapes and scarf wearing sales models on television ads last night...at a time when I don't think ANYONE in the continental US has any significant snow accumulation yet...do they? Anyway, there is no sign of Advent in our general society...absolutely none and it is tragic. And even more tragic is the fact that in the vast majority of christian sects here in the US there is also no consciousness of Advent. I suppose a period of self-denial does not fly well for sales records.

Maria Von Trapp was amazed at the pre-mature celebration of Christmas during the time that was supposed to be reserved for self-reflection, self-denial, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and general spiritual preperation - NOT partying. And this was merely 50 years ago! Folks, this is why I know Tradition (paradosis) is SO important, because it is a living moral and theological compass...but we here in the good ole USA have maligned Tradition to the point that now we gleefully hear pretty toe-tapping Christmas muzak at Nordstrom in early November and then bitch and moan about how commercialized Christmas has become all the while not having a clue as to what Advent is.

The great liturgical dance of the Church during Advent is meant to re-live and re-present the historic time in which all the world was/is awaiting the birth of the Savior. The celebration does not end on Christmas day, oh no....that is just the beginning of the celebration. I believe any attempts at de-commercializing Christmas without embracing the historic Christian Tradition of Advent is really quite vain and empty.

Who's fasting with us?