Refugees and Advent and Second Graders, oh my!

The news has been filled lately with refugees.  I've been involved in a few intense conversations about it, both in person and on line. (My main frustration being the misuse of the word 'refugee' - and the resulting misunderstanding of the reality of the violence these folks are fleeing, and the process of entering the US as a refugee.  Followed by how we can let fear restrict our compassion.  But that's a whole other conversation.....)

In any case, during prayer I was reflecting that perhaps these conversations aren't the best use of my passion about it -maybe I should be DOING something.  I started wondering HOW I could get involved, and how it (whatever it is) could involve my family.

Then the holidays hit.  We traveled long and far for Thanksgiving week, and I kept offering up any discomforts for refugee families.  Baby crying because he's strapped in a car seat too long? Awkward family conversations?  Not enough time to visit everyone I'd like?  All seriously first world problems.  And so very different from what's happening around the world.  And what happened 2000 years ago...

Which brings us to Christmas.  Or Advent, actually.  We're still "in transition" from a move, and have most of our personal stuff in storage.  (I thought we'd be unpacked by now, but not so.)  We've got nuttin' for the season.  I've been thinking about all the Advent/Christmas traditions in light of what's happening in the world. I know we need to do something, but I'd like to keep it more subdued, in a tiny show of solidarity with refugees.

While I'v been praying about it, I recently heard a song about a mom needing a break and a reminder about the season:  I need a Silent Night.   Perfect reminder to scale back.  Make room for something else.  It reminded me of one of my favorites:  An African Christmas.... it's both beautiful and sad that 20 years later, the lyrics are still appropriate.

What are we making room for?  Jesus.  Not a baby Jesus we expect, made out of white plastic and ready to bless whatever we do... but a Divine Person, who surprises us by being present in the most unlikely places...  I became determined to have a GREAT Advent, focusing on all sorts of activities to point us toward the *real* meaning of the season....

Then I ran across this post, about "unrealistic expectations" during Advent.  And this one about puzzles and Adoration.  And I remember reading a wise priest who said that real Christianity isn't about merit badges, but allowing God to work within us.

Today's problem with Advent is a bit like everyday life:  too much to do/see/be.  An overwhelming number of choices are before us:  which is the best?  If I commit to this, do I miss out on something better?  Yes, there are Advent calendars and wreaths and songs and events and... all sorts of holy stuff.  But in the end, it's just more stuff.  Tools, if you will.  What we really want to be focused on is Jesus... his call to love our family, our neighbors, our enemies.  And once again, I feel inadequate about explaining something I barely grasp to my kids.

Part of our preparations for Christmas involve remembering past holidays.   The 7 year old stopped me one afternoon:  "hey, Mom, remember that Christmas that Uncle Steve drove his motorcycle for 2 days to visit us?"  I said yes, with a lump in my throat since my brother died almost 3 years ago.  K had a far off look in his eyes for a moment, nodded and said "those were good times" before turning to go play.  And as I stood in the middle of the kitchen, watching his back disappear into the hallway, I thought:  I don't have to explain anything at all to him.  By the grace of God, he knows all about Love.