In this rare case, I actually don't think you are being puritanical enough. I was going to comment that the enemies of Jesus Christ and his Church were executing a brilliant 2-part strategy: (1) move everything way earlier; and (2) convert every fast into a feast.
But after further consideration, I think we (the Church) have ourselves to blame for that second part. Truth be told, I'm actually against chocolate and toys in Advent. It's not a big leap from chocolate to jam. I would prefer us to meditate on those 4 great themes of Advent: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell.
I'm thinking maybe there should be a Hieronymus Bosch Advent calendar. Each day, you'd open the little door to find some terrifying scene from one of his Hell paintings.
“I'm thinking maybe there should be a Hieronymus Bosch Advent calendar. Each day, you'd open the little door to find some terrifying scene from one of his Hell paintings.”
"Peach-mint had a 'toothpaste vibe'..."? Ick! A year's long research effort yielded a flavor reminiscent of toothpaste?! This must reflect somehow the inadequacy of earthly things to satisfy the soul. Toothpaste. Bah humbug.
"But if you aren’t going to believe in and love the Lord Christ and go to church to celebrate his birth, I don’t think you should be allowed to eat little pots of jam. No Jam For You. Go back to the beginning and first learn about Jesus. Then you may have jam."
1000 times, yes. I’m really so over non-Christians culturally appropriating my holidays I can’t handle it anymore. Also, I confess that Hubs, the Boy, and I each get a cheese advent calendar from Aldi, and we delight in them around the Advent wreath every night when we’re doing our devotions and celebrating that gift that is Jesus, and His many gifts to us, one of which is cheese. But that’s about the extent of it, because try as we might, we can’t convince ourselves that spending $80 on a wine advent calendar really fits the repentant tone of the season. ALSO the problem with the “12 days of Christmas” calendars is that everyone thinks they go from Dec 13 forward and why is everything so dumb. So. Happy Advent.
To be fair, the French are incredibly religious about observing their holidays. When we arrived in Paris for my wife’s Birthday on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we found a devotion to a day off of work unparalleled to any country I know. They’re also equally devoted to their own cuisine, so this combination makes perfect sense.
I think there's something to the fact that all these non-believers stop everything they are doing and spend an inordinate amount of their money to celebrate the coming of Christ, even if they are doing it unwittingly. One day every knee will bow, but even now, they can't help acknowledging his Lordship in a fashion.
Personally have always found any and such Advent calendars to be so much “fluff” and utterly trite. I don’t discount the family traditions that surround them which if centered on Christ can be of benefit. I had no such history growing up and neither did I practice with my children when they were growing up. Although a jam of the month club wouldn’t be bad. On the serious side I am in agreement with your insight Anne.
Along the same lines, "Holy Grail" is now just a term used by beauty influencers to describe their favorite lipstick, mascara, etc. I wonder if they know the origin of the term.
It strikes me, maybe little pots of jam are just the sweetness some need, to remember God is good and to seek the real meaning of Christmas. Like coals, on the head: Proverbs 25:21-22; Romans 12; Matthew 5:39-48; Romans 2:4
Thanks for your thoughts though. I did not see this article!
Very helpful thoughts, Anne.
In this rare case, I actually don't think you are being puritanical enough. I was going to comment that the enemies of Jesus Christ and his Church were executing a brilliant 2-part strategy: (1) move everything way earlier; and (2) convert every fast into a feast.
But after further consideration, I think we (the Church) have ourselves to blame for that second part. Truth be told, I'm actually against chocolate and toys in Advent. It's not a big leap from chocolate to jam. I would prefer us to meditate on those 4 great themes of Advent: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell.
I'm thinking maybe there should be a Hieronymus Bosch Advent calendar. Each day, you'd open the little door to find some terrifying scene from one of his Hell paintings.
“I'm thinking maybe there should be a Hieronymus Bosch Advent calendar. Each day, you'd open the little door to find some terrifying scene from one of his Hell paintings.”
This would be fantastic! 🤣
"Peach-mint had a 'toothpaste vibe'..."? Ick! A year's long research effort yielded a flavor reminiscent of toothpaste?! This must reflect somehow the inadequacy of earthly things to satisfy the soul. Toothpaste. Bah humbug.
Nailed it!
"But if you aren’t going to believe in and love the Lord Christ and go to church to celebrate his birth, I don’t think you should be allowed to eat little pots of jam. No Jam For You. Go back to the beginning and first learn about Jesus. Then you may have jam."
1000 times, yes. I’m really so over non-Christians culturally appropriating my holidays I can’t handle it anymore. Also, I confess that Hubs, the Boy, and I each get a cheese advent calendar from Aldi, and we delight in them around the Advent wreath every night when we’re doing our devotions and celebrating that gift that is Jesus, and His many gifts to us, one of which is cheese. But that’s about the extent of it, because try as we might, we can’t convince ourselves that spending $80 on a wine advent calendar really fits the repentant tone of the season. ALSO the problem with the “12 days of Christmas” calendars is that everyone thinks they go from Dec 13 forward and why is everything so dumb. So. Happy Advent.
To be fair, the French are incredibly religious about observing their holidays. When we arrived in Paris for my wife’s Birthday on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we found a devotion to a day off of work unparalleled to any country I know. They’re also equally devoted to their own cuisine, so this combination makes perfect sense.
I think there's something to the fact that all these non-believers stop everything they are doing and spend an inordinate amount of their money to celebrate the coming of Christ, even if they are doing it unwittingly. One day every knee will bow, but even now, they can't help acknowledging his Lordship in a fashion.
"No Jam For You."
Well, okay then, Jam Nazi!
Seriously though. Bless you for this. Made me cackle.
I, too, fell victim to this clickbait, but in reading your piece, it feels like you have redeemed my time. 😂💚
“What is wrong with me?” Not a thing. Thank you for your constant seeking of Him with all your heart so we can find Him 😊
Personally have always found any and such Advent calendars to be so much “fluff” and utterly trite. I don’t discount the family traditions that surround them which if centered on Christ can be of benefit. I had no such history growing up and neither did I practice with my children when they were growing up. Although a jam of the month club wouldn’t be bad. On the serious side I am in agreement with your insight Anne.
Along the same lines, "Holy Grail" is now just a term used by beauty influencers to describe their favorite lipstick, mascara, etc. I wonder if they know the origin of the term.
Sure, they do! It's from that Monty Python's movie.
Our little country church did not celebrate advent.
I began to cook Christmas cookies and foods earlier in December, after never being asked to parties.
I didn’t finish the above.
It strikes me, maybe little pots of jam are just the sweetness some need, to remember God is good and to seek the real meaning of Christmas. Like coals, on the head: Proverbs 25:21-22; Romans 12; Matthew 5:39-48; Romans 2:4
Thanks for your thoughts though. I did not see this article!
I too spent long hours with that Tasha Tudor book. Thank you for evoking that memory.
I loved this! You would make H.L. Mencken proud.