Did i unlock Advent?

There is mystery in the season of Advent that i feel should remain locked, or opened only just enough for us to peep through...  But i have felt some unravelling happening this Advent.  I have found questions at each spiral of unravelling rather than simple answers.

Midwinter, the Winter Solstice on 20th/21st December is a time for celebration, feasting and meeting friends and family.  We are at the shortest day, we have survived and now the days will get longer, the light stronger and new growth will emerge.  So why can't we be honest and recognise that this is what we are celebrating in December?  Why the pretence that it is a special holy time when for decades and longer people have simply indulged themselves and one another in festivities?  After all we know that Jesus was not born at this time of year and that many of the stories that have been passed down through the ages are myths (but no less "true" because of that !). 

My solution?  Celebrate the birth of Jesus throughout the year, wonder at the mystery of Mary and Joseph's journey as we travel through the year and admit that "Christmas" is something we need in the depths of winter to cheer us up, to give us the opportunity to give and receive, to visit family, to take time off work.

Advent, adventure, adventurous - i pray that 2010 will bring more unravelling, more questions, more openness and honesty and that i might have the courage to walk through each moment of it fully conscious and totally present.

This is the final blog entry for this blog.  Thank you for following!