We Need a Little Christmas, Right This Very Minute

Megan Cottam learned an important lesson about joy from her daughter during the Advent season.

The most challenging theologians in my life continue to be my children. I can be going along my day, feeling great about the intricacies and nuances of Church doctrine, when they cut through the red tape with a zinger that stops me in my tracks.

My daughter struck again during a casual trip to the local mall. Just one day after Halloween, on the celebration of All Saints Day, we found the mall in full decoration mode. The large center tree was being furnished, wreaths were hung, and worst of all, the indoor kids play area was now off limits as the Santa photo station was constructed. Not only was Santa present on the first of November, but now he was keeping me from my self-care ritual of sipping my Starbucks while my kids entertained themselves for just a few moments of peace.

“Ugh!” I said, accidentally audibly.

“What’s wrong, Mommy?” My earnest preschooler chimed in.

“It is way too early for Christmas decorations! This is just too rushed.”

Without skipping a beat, Jackie replied: “But Mommy, maybe people need extra time to prepare their hearts for Jesus!”

And there it was. A dissertation’s worth of theology casually dropped by my child.

What was I fighting against? The truth was I was not ready to do the work that we have created to cloud the holiday. I was burdened by the décor. I shuddered at the thought of analyzing wish lists and playing Santa, and the pressure of building perfect family traditions or negotiating family visit time. I certainly did not want to go in the attic and deal with whatever was waiting for me there. None of these burdens had anything to do with the true meaning of the season.

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As my penance, I spent the next hour letting my daughter gasp in excitement at all the glitter, all the photo ops, and all the dreams she has for this Christmas. We toured the mall and found every last decoration. And you know what? It was an afternoon of giggles and playtime with my children that I would not have had if I focused on my Starbucks instead. Well played, Jesus.

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This Advent, I challenge us all to have the joy felt by children. #CatholicMom

This Advent, I challenge us all to have the joy felt by children. While we are running around, focused on “Not yet,” they are the ones grasping the awe, the wonder, the excitement, and the anticipation of the season. And as long as we do not get in their way, they get it—Mama Mary is going to have a baby, and Jesus, everyone’s friend, is coming. How exciting! How could we possibly stand to wait another instant to prepare? It doesn’t matter what date on the calendar that begins; it matters that we have the vision to see Jesus as joy when He enters our lives and put everything aside to prepare our hearts to be with Him.

Wishing you an Advent of unexpected moments, God sightings, and heart-changing disruption as we make room for our incarnate Lord to enter our lives bringing true joy.

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