Advent Sunday - Love (2021)

Fourth Sunday in Advent - Love. I think after this last week, the most I can actually say is that there are four Sundays in Advent, and it seems that there are so many versions of what each candle means that who knows what the actual particular is! 

This has been a crazy week for me ... and one in that I feel like I have actually accomplished nothing. So, here I sit, Sunday afternoon, realizing that IF I accept the challenge, I have more things to accomplish than I probably have time for. Maybe these few minutes will be good for me? I can relax, re-focus and decide what to do and what to let go. 

Advent is supposed to be about preparation, but I don't think that frenzied preparation is what is meant. We have turned this time of year into a cash grab, an insane dash to the finish line. And what are the results? 

This past week I saw a meme in some Facebook group. It was definitely interesting - a shopfront window, somewhere in an Asian country (Japan?). And, the display was a cross ... with Santa being hung on it, in place of Jesus. And, oh - man! did people's knickers get bunched up into knots upon knots!! "That's offensive!" ... "Take that down!" ... "Someone should correct them!" ... and on and on. I don't know, but I think I must have really seen things differently. I responded: 

I spent a year in SKorea in 1997-98. And they definitely perceive Christmas in a different way than we do. It is my guess from my experience and extensive discussions and observations that they look at Western culture and desire to emulate what they believe it is. And, whether it is fashion, appearance, possessions ... it's all about consumerism. And that goes double (or more?) for Christmas. It is not "racist" at all - they are reflecting back exactly what they see as valuable in the Western world. I suspect it is very similar in other Asian countries. (Cosmetic surgery is most extensive and pervasive in Asian countries; to view Western influence in other cultures is eye-opening. If one looks closely, it is possible to see ourselves in their mirror ... and not our best side, either.) Remember, this is a culture that far out-dates our own, and all historic Christian influence is non-existent. What else would evolve in that society? Addendum - what I witnessed in the late 1990s in regards to Western ignorance to anyone other than their own backyard, and the tendency to evaluate based on their own biases and prejudices, are still very much alive and well, as the comments here show.

Please do not impose Western thinking on the Eastern perspective and "show them their errors". Western cultures have done that for far too long. This needs to be understood "from the inside out", and not "outside in". Yes, "Santa" is a western thing (actually, the history of this personality is fascinating), but to point out "their" error negates what is actually going on here. And without an understanding of Asian culture and context, your suggestion risks turning this into another form of colonialism. Haven't we done enough of that for an eternity?

Asian people, from my living in Korea (and I know Koreans are not the same as Japanese by a long shot - a saying in Korea was "when the two big fish fight, the little fish gets hurt") is that they are obsessed with what they perceive to be Western culture. It extends into their appearance, their clothing, their possessions, life dreams, thoughts for the future, so many things. As well as the obsession with the English language (which is why it is MANDATORY for them to learn English, and they know the grammar of our language better than we do!). And along with all of that comes consumerism. Asian history far outdated anything within our realm of comprehension. And it is completely absent of anything resembling Christianity. So when I look at this, I see something that they perceive in us looking back at me. If I don't like it, then it is something in me that I don't like because they are but a mirror according to what they perceive about me. 

I hope that makes sense. It is not a simple answer by any means. I remember standing in the middle of a palace in the middle of a modern city of 10 million people. The palace had been in existence for 3000 years. No Western culture, not even Christianity, was around when the palace was first built.

I share this here because it was a powerful moment for me. Looking at this photo and realizing something had gone very wrong if this is how it is seen by other people. And, also how others miss this, in their comments and thoughts. What does it mean to think that Santa and Jesus are the same? It is only about what we 'get' at this time? Presents on one hand and salvation on the other? But here's the thing - there is a movement within Christian circles to 'deconstruct' the faith and in that endeavour, the whole 'salvation' thing is being removed. Christ (in this new thinking) did not die for our sins. I think the building of this belief has been around for a while, but because of social media, it's gaining traction. And, this meme in a roundabout way, shines a light on that. And around this happening, the week was full of frustrations and feelings of inadequacy, and ... yes, I am feeling 'old', lost, alone. The anxiety in me rose on a regular basis, and I had to actively work at keeping it in check. 

And then, in the middle of this, slices this Fourth Sunday in Advent. Most, of which, call the candle the Love candle. And, that's one thing I have long attached my anchor to - God is love. From beginning to end, the message is love. Not love as we define it, but love as God defines it. And that is something we can only glimpse through a dirty glass. And, I also attach my anchor to the Trinity - God in three. There is much I still struggle with, but that is my foundation. In that, is also death for salvation. In a way that surpasses man's ability to comprehend. So, when we come to today, I am reminded that this is all about LOVE. Love of fallen man by omnipotent God in ways we cannot comprehend. That is the journey for each of us. 

So, one more week ... one more week of dashing around and trying to get things figured out. One more week of wondering if I'll achieve what I set before myself and if will I make it through. And to always remember - I am loved by God who is beyond me, in ways I barely understand. And, the recognition of the coming celebration, though likely mixed up through time (as we can see with the Santa on the cross), still DOES hold Truth, for those that look past the trappings, into the manger, and beyond the babe. 

Breathe in love, breathe out stress. Be blessed in ways incredible. Love everlasting and unending. 

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