Advent Devotions

Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Bob Reichman.

My favorite Christmas song is an Advent song, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” I have nothing against Christmas songs – who could be against joy, peace on Earth and good will to others? I always find “Silent Night” moving, and nobody loves the songs from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” more than I do. I listen every year to Bing Crosby singing “Mele Kalikimaka” (Hawaii’s way to say Merry Christmas, according to the song), and to “Sleigh Ride” by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, complete with whip crack.

Despite churches’ best efforts, these songs, the trimming of the tree and the purchasing and wrapping of the presents, all of which necessarily surface during Advent, overwhelm the run-up to the Christmas story. When paired with stores decorated to the hilt and commercials exalting the Christmas spirit while making sure you know it can only be achieved by buying certain products, it’s hard to remember why we even bother with Advent. 

That’s why “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a vital part of the season for me. The music and the words evoke a yearning for a better life, reminding me that pain, suffering and injustice are all around us. Even “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel” sounds to my ears like something just a little elevated above wishful thinking and a plea not to give up despite what you see in front of you. 

If you believe as I do that God suffers with us, then Jesus’ birth is a sign of solidarity and a recognition by God that it ain’t easy living here. That’s why “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” resonates so deeply with me. Where joy comes to me is in faith that whatever I go through, whatever the world goes through, God goes through it, too, and works with us to crawl out of the deepest holes and climb the highest mountains. Well, that and my grandson’s smile.

One of the songs from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Christmas Time is Here,” has always struck me as having a dissonance between the lyrics – “Christmas time is here; happiness and cheer” – and the music, which seems too sad for those words. But I like that because it reflects the sadness we sometimes experience along with the joy we often have but always long for and have reason to hope for during the Christmas season. So, yes, even my love of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is somewhat tied to my desire not to forget about Advent. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.