Celebrating Christmas

 

This year I have not noticed that shops are decorating for Christmas that early. Before I used to see decorations in early October, but as I said it's not that early this year.

 

I get it, they want to sell things for the season, but for many like me it is a bit annoying.

Just like it is with all that Christmas music in shops, elevators etc.

 

Many people are not celebrating Christmas for many different reasons, some are celebrating it a bit later according to Orthodox liturgy, but the most of us celebrate from December 24 or 25 onward.

 

We do not know when Jesus was born that correct but it was decided on this time of the year.

 

Some say it was already a so-called pagan holiday, a winter feast and we started to celebrate His birth then. Some say that is not a good idea but you see during the centuries, churches has been built on pagan temples, reminding us that Jesus Christ is above all. So it is with Christmas.

 

When it comes to celebrate Christmas too early, that is annoying many.

You see before Christmas we have Advent. 

Advent has a mood of : waiting, arrival, Lament and Hope.

 

Christmas has a mood of : Joy, celebration and incarnation.

 

Some theologians argues that: the church should keep the entire Christmas season (Dec 25 – Jan 5), ending with Epiphany.
Christians often celebrate before Christmas and then stop right when the actual season starts.

I think that is a good advice but you see for some denominations they are taking it further.

 

The traditional Western calendar includes Candlemas (Feast of the Presentation) on February 2, which marks the presentation of Jesus in the temple.

Some churches historically end the “extended Christmas cycle” at Candlemas.

 

I have never celebrated this Candlemas, but I could think of  Candlemas positively, but never as a time to continue Christmas celebration itself.

One pastor said that this simply acknowledges it as the theological conclusion of the infancy narratives (Luke 2).

Well  as we agree on the real meaning of Christmas, I think we can start and end when ever we want and embrace that He is our King, He is our light that shines in the dark.

 

Merry Christmas

Advent

 Advent is just around the corner. Perhaps you are not familliar to celebrate this season, perhaps advent seams new or even strange to you, even if you are a christian, well....

Isaiah 9:2
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

Advent is a season of holy anticipation. It invites us into the quiet tension between already and not yet—remembering that Christ has come, and yet longing deeply for His coming again.

We often move through our days at full speed, filling every gap with noise and movement. But Advent whispers a different rhythm: slow down, breathe, and look for the Light.

Isaiah reminds us that God’s people were once surrounded by darkness—uncertainty, fear, longing. Yet even there, the promise of light broke through. Advent tells us that God enters our waiting places. He doesn’t abandon us to the shadows; He steps into them.

Where are you waiting today?
Where do you long for light to dawn?

Perhaps the waiting feels hard—an unanswered prayer, a need for direction, or a desire for peace in a restless heart. Advent promises that Christ meets us right there. Not when everything is resolved, but while we wait.

He is the Light who dawns slowly, quietly, faithfully.

Today, take a few moments to pause and let God meet you in your waiting. Invite Jesus, the Light of the world, into the places you have kept dim or silent. Let His presence be your peace.

The Living Hope

 I have been so called "blogging" for a while, but it is not that easy sometimes.

I used to do it on another blog name but today I will start with this Living Hope.

Living hope is the name of our radio show at church, which I have done for over 10 years

That show you can listen at on podbean.com

I also have a youtube channel named The living hope so I thought why not name this new blog site the same name.

We need a hope to cling on, to trust in, and that is Jesus Christ.

So hopefulle I will be able to write here more often that before and you can follow me and Us, Us wich is ICF MALMO, at other places as well. Just look in the profile.

God bless you

//Mats