Advent is a special season in the Church year…and one which is being lost as “Christmas Creep” has moved forward on the calendar to the day after Halloween (or earlier). In our society we always seem to be reaching to the next thing…reaching without ever really taking time to enjoy. Advent is supposed to help prevent that. Advent says: “take TIME to SAVOR this moment.”

Savoring is becoming a lost art.

Savoring involves a lot of preparatory work.

Savoring requires patience.

Savoring requires effort.

Savoring requires self-discipline.

If a person is going to savor a cup of coffee or tea, or a glass of wine (or single malt), or deeply enjoy a couple fine chocolates, it begins with a great deal of intentionality. Savoring starts with appreciating the sight of the food or drink. Truly seeing its color and variation. Noting its viscosity or consistency. This is often done before you’ve even transferred it from the bottle, carafe, or dish to the tasting glass or serving plate.

Savoring, then moves to focusing on the smell. Connoisseurs of food and drink always pause to delight in the smell(s) of the food or drink they are experiencing. That’s because they’re taking time to relish the food or drink, and not just gobbling it up.

Next they’re going to spiel it, if it’s a drink (swirl it in a glass), or poke at it with a fork (if it's a solid food) and otherwise explore its “feel.” Touch is a part of eating something, too—especially if you’re savoring it.

When they finally put it in their mouth, they play with it—let it roll around over their tongue, and off the sides of their mouth. They may swish it around making weird and socially inappropriate sounds with it before they finally swallow it (or spit it out!). Most professional coffee tasters (yes, that’s a real job!) loudly slurp their hot coffee to better appreciate the full range of its taste and texture. Something sure to irritate a table full of relatives at Christmas dinner!

All of this involves a lot of fussing around!

And “fussing” is exactly the point. Fussing is a big part of savoring something. And that’s really the point of the neglected season of Advent. Beginning on Dec 1st this year, the church enters into a 4 week period of reflection and “preparation.” It’s supposed to be a time to slow down a little and savor. To “fuss” over Jesus.

We have just celebrated Christ as King of the universe—ponder what that means! When Jesus returns to earth he will take up that role. But it is a role he’s already fulfilling as he stands at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. He’s already walking among all his churches around the world and reigning in our midst. And someday (soon?) he will return visibly to assume his rightful position as King of all kings. We should envision what that means, and how that might look.

We also pause to cast our eyes back over 2000 years to his first advent among us, when he was born in a stable in the small hamlet of Bethlehem. He came without any of the trappings of power or prestige so that he could better connect with “regular” people, and show us God’s unconditional love. He came vulnerable and, quite frankly, poor. He set aside his place in the glories of heaven to speak to, eat with, and show love and mercy to the masses.

Take a little time this Advent season to pause and savor the sights, and smells, and sounds, of this season of preparation for the coming King. Take time to feel the feelings this season brings to our souls. Light an Advent wreath in your home at dinner time, open a little door each day on an Advent calendar, and savor God’s love for us. Nurture the feelings of JOY that mark this season.

Peace,

Pastor Derek