How to have a peaceful and joyful Christmas

I love Christmas as much as the next girl. But I don’t love how commercialised and all-encompassing this time of year can become. Rather than being the climax of a period of reflection and sacrifice, it’s become a whirlwind of decorating, eating and buying. Not that these things are inherently bad. In their proper place, they are a wonderful addition to this celebration. However, I’d like to invite you to experience Advent and Christmas from a new, slower perspective.

Throughout this series, I will be talking about Advent and Christmas from a Roman Catholic perspective. This might not be your faith, (or your Rite/Calendar). But I want to share how my faith helps me live out this particular season. I hope it encourages those who share my faith, and perhaps offers a new look at faith for those who do not. Perhaps you will find something useful or beautiful here that you did not expect.

The distinction between Advent and Christmas

This year, immediately after the 31st of October, the Christmas decorations appeared. In shops, on Instagram and in the street, Christmassy things were everywhere, even though it was November. And I am not about it. Guys, it’s not a thing!

Christmas, in the true sense of the word, starts from 25 December and runs for 12 days. Advent, the season of preparation for Christmas, starts from either late November or early December. This year we have a shorter Advent, starting on Sunday 2 December.

During Advent, we prepare for Christmas by reflecting not only on the Nativity, but also on the second coming of Christ. These four weeks are meant to be a time of reflection and self-denial. It’s somewhat like Lent, but not quite as hardcore. By the time Christmas arrives, we should be ready to celebrate in ernest, having given up things and paused to reflect on the meaning of this great feast.

That’s why I have such a problem with all the decorations appearing in October. It’s not time yet! We haven’t done any preparation for this. The decorations, food and music are meant to be the climax of the season, not a continuum until they vanish on December 26.

The manic pace of this time of year is also unhelpful for reflection. The endless round of Christmas parties, awards nights, present shopping and sales creates a rush of distraction at a time that is meant to be about refocusing our attention on God and our neighbour.

A simple Advent challenge

So this year, I’d like to invite you to come on an Advent journey with me. I’m not a great theologian, and I’m not pretending to offer you deep reflections or great spiritual highs. But I want to share some small ways you can live the spirit of Advent in your home. Believe me, this makes Christmas day and the rest of the (actual) Christmas season so much more delightful!

Each week, I’ll share some things you can do at home and in your daily life to step closer to God and find some quiet during this busy time. The idea is to have a baseline of things you do each day, with a few things being added each week. By the time we reach Christmas, you’ll be ready to get right into the feast with (I hope) a calm and happy heart.

I don’t want this to be too prescriptive or overwhelming. We all have different personalities and lives to live. Think of this series as a starting point. I hope it gives you something you can try, but also just a moment to think about what will work for you.

So, who’s with me? Are you ready to create space in your life to welcome the true spirit of Christmas?