It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go...
Except for Houston. Sure, there is a three-story Christmas tree up at the Galleria over the indoor skating rink, there are Christmas lights and dancing santas and pumped-in Christmas music, but it's 80 degrees and sunny. "Let it Snow" came on the radio on my way home from school yesterday and I burst out laughing. The weather outside IS frightful... but a fire would NOT be delightful.
I absolutely love the holidays, and the preparations for Christmas are the best part for me! I have found that the joy of anticipation is where I find grace- finding the perfect gift, looking at the Christmas tree, and watching Elf over and over again to fill in the blank spots that I may have forgotten every word to since my last viewing.
I absolutely LOVE the Advent season. I have actually been counting down the weeks until Advent each week at mass since early September, and I'm so happy it's finally here! I love lighting the candles on the Advent wreath, and the special kind of prayer that Advent brings. "O Come O Come Emmanuel" was not the first song at mass last week, and I almost had a fit. They thankfully recovered by singing it at the offertory, but I was getting really nervous.
Advent is all about waiting. Waiting for the light in the darkness, for God's gift to the world. It's a reminder that we can find joy in waiting, even in our constant impatience. I need this reminder around this time each year, but I'm feeling it especially this year.
Life as an East Coast-er in the South is sometimes a challenge. Life moves a lot slower. People talk slower, drive a LOT slower, and move at a generally slower pace. My patience is not exactly my strongest suit, and this fact has shown itself in my community, while I'm driving, and in my classroom time and time again. I'm learning to relax, but I haven't been able to find the joy in waiting in my day to day life as much as I find the joy in Advent. It's a work in progress.
So, I'm challenging myself for the last 13 days that stand between me and an airplane to Philadelphia- find the joy of waiting, of living in the PRESENT. I know that getting home, spending time with family and friends, will FILL me with joy, but I need to remember that I'm only here for a year, and somewhere in this city, I can find joy.
I found a little today, as Cristo Rey Jesuit had a Christmas party for kids from Texas Children's Hospital. Drama had a little station set up where my students read Christmas stories to the children. As I looked at the bench full of students, who I know have less than ideal lives to begin with, reading "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" to fifteen little kids, my eyes filled with tears. My students are amazingly generous, giving up their Saturdays to read what they discovered was actually a pretty long book to little kids. I'm so proud of them. Not that I was feeling grinchy at all, but to quote Dr. Seuss, I swear that my heart grew ten sizes today.
So, I found joy for today. Hopefully Christmas activities in the Heights section of Houston tonight will continue to put me in the holiday spirit, even if I am wearing flip flops.
Enjoy this rendition of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" by The Civil Wars!
