It’s hard to believe it’s the season of Advent once more. Starting today, November 28, it marks the beginning of the church year, and leads up to the second-most important Christian holiday, Christmas; the first being Easter.

Celebrated by the Western Church since the 4th or 5th century, it has grown in practice to incorporate activities not envisioned by the early church fathers. Take for example the sale of Advent Calendars which now embrace almost everything the heart could desire. Yep, growing from their 19th century origin via German Lutherans, marking the days with special calendars until Christmas, they have grown to be a spendy little pre-Christmas tradition of their own.

Now anyone can celebrate Advent by purchasing spendy Advent calendars featuring
beauty items, candy, kids toys (think Legos), wine, liquor, and almost anything ones heart desires. This has become so much like Christmas, as anybody can celebrate it without out believing in it.

The folks at Advent Conspiracy have wonderful tools to direct us all to a better way to lead us to Advent and Christmas celebrations that are totally Christ focused. They challenge us to “Make Room for Jesus”. It’s not your Advent we are honoring, it’s Jesus’.

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