Belmont University Advent GuideParaugs

Growing up in Camden, Tennessee I did not need to go to a store to visit Santa Claus to tell him what I wanted for Christmas. Santa came to our house before Christmas to ask me what I wanted—honestly! One year Santa misunderstood my request and he had to return to our house in early January to correct his mistake. As a four-year-old, I wanted a chalkboard easel so that I could teach my imaginary friends. When I did not receive my requested chalkboard, I was crushed. However, Santa came through within a few days, explaining that the elves had gotten behind in the production of chalkboards.

I also remember Santa asking me the next year when I was a five-year-old if I had been a good boy. My response was: “No, but I am telling you the truth.” “Well,” said Santa taken aback momentarily, “telling the truth is the beginning of being a good person.”

Well over fifty years later, I can affirm, “Well said, Santa Claus.” I cannot say truthfully that I always have spoken the truth. My five-year-old self had a profound insight that my fifty-eight-year-old self needs to hear over and over.

Our readings from Holy Scripture for today are blunt in their truthfulness. The words challenge the corrupt and corrupting influence of unmitigated greed that plagues our corporate business culture. We have largely forgotten the message of Advent and we have turned this period between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day into a secular market fest of raw greed and premature celebration. Advent is traditionally a season for repentance to prepare us to celebrate Christmas with a clean heart and a clear mind.

However, I fear that we would rather turn on the Christmas lights before Thanksgiving, forget that the Twelve Days of Christmas begin with Christmas Day rather than end with it, and distract ourselves from the movement of the Holy Spirit in the mysterious season of Advent.

Some may protest that I am a curmudgeon who needs to return to the magical joy I experienced as a child with Santa Claus. Let me say that I love so many of the customs and traditions of this season that are not strictly Advent-related. It is a fun season! Nevertheless, the “too muchness” robs us of the real joy to come with Christmas. I am not always good, but I am telling you the truth.

Marty Bell
Professor of Religion