Advent, Circus, and Such

Advent this year has been pretty special for me.

It's because I wanted it to be special.

The liturgical season of Advent zooms in on remembering, waiting and anticipating. We remember the surprise of the first Advent and we look forward to the second Advent of the Lord taking us by surprise again. That Baby in the Manger will return as the conquering, vindicating, eternal King... because there was a terrible cross. But not just a cross; there was Easter.

Advent exhorts us in our layovers, wherever we are.

Speaking of layovers, I thought about this while I was on a long, multi-city flight recently. I didn't choose a long layover because I like long layovers (contrary to what I jokingly shared with a friend recently). Rather, it meant a reduction in airfares to fit my skinnier-than-skinny momcation budget. Planning for the overnight layovers, I thought of all kinds of ways to make the hours fly by. Maybe, I'd read a book or two - I've always liked an overnight read. Then I'd sip a Starbucks' coffee in the wee hours of the morning. Walk around Changi's T1 transit area, window-shop at the bookshops, write post-cards, celebrate something, pray, enjoy the free wifi, Skype, eat a good breakfast the next morning, etc. I packed well for the layovers - including pantyliners galore. I must say in retrospect that I truly enjoyed my layovers, tiring as they were! Of course, I couldn't wait to arrive at my destination(s), but choosing to make the most of my layover and spice things up made all the difference to the waiting. Advent is rather like the treats I planned for my layover in the sense that it refreshes us to wait patiently while we wait.

As we carry our crosses on our personal death marches - not merely the day-to-day human burdens and sufferings but the commitment to make the sacrifices any true disciple must make in a world that rejects Christ - we wait, as His Easter people.

We wait because every today passes into a tomorrow. And the great, unending Tomorrow will come when "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Rev. 21:4).

We can only imagine for now. Which is why it's important that we observe Advent. At the end of a year so full of ups and downs, Advent keeps our vision clear, our priorities straight, and our joy full. We reflect: If Christ will come again, how should we live our lives in the year ahead? How should we simplify life, minimise the distractions, own less, give more, and see potential in our burdens? If Christ will come again, how should His great commission (of making disciples) take a front-er seat in our lives so concerned with living in the world? If Christ will come again, could we be comforted as we mourn and weep in grief? We pause to celebrate: We bless others, deck the halls, carol, savour time with our families, dress up, etc. New Year comes and we are given a foretaste of the Beginning of all new beginnings.

My Advent this year took off in Taiwan. As you'd probably gather now, it was pretty special because amidst all the traveling (and overnight layovers at Changi Airport), I had all the time in the world (for once) to pray and meditate on God's goodness. And now that I'm back, I have been all for making the season special for Sophie. My hope is that she would always look forward to Advent (and Christmas) and that all the family celebrations would leave her a legacy of treasured memories which become sacramental when she's grown-up enough to understand the Biblical significance of Advent.

It's all good, innocent fun with the family. Nothing overly religious. I am one of those moms who are absolutely serious about our Christian faiths, I assure you, but I am also realistic at the same time. S is a tod after all. (If you're wondering, yes, we talk about Jesus and pray at bedtime on a daily basis - these we don't just do during Advent.)

First, I let her delight in Christmas trees. They are everywhere, dashing and dazzling. We even have a mini one in our home. Sophie decorated it with her toys (we don't have proper ornaments). Very authentic.

Secondly, while the Queensbay Mall is out to wow shoppers with their whimsical Christmas decorations and holiday favourites, we discovered a train making its rounds in the central atrium which you could ride for a fare. Sophie was so happy, riding it with mummy (the sharp turns gave me motion-sickness though; I must be getting old) during a mom-daughter date. I was happy to see her so happy.

Thirdly, we watched a stunt circus the other night. Acrobats, trapeze artists, jugglers, hoop dancers and rope dancers dazzled us with their smiles - and stunts. As it was Sophie's first time experiencing acrobatics, she was spellbound throughout the entire session. (We had to give her fish keropok at regular intervals to keep her from doing her own stunts and getting into trouble!)

Finally, we will be spending two nights away as a family in Cameron Highlands and another two nights in KL during the Christmas week.

I hope that you are having a meaningful Advent yourselves!