Advent Decluttering

I don't know about you, but my house is filled with a lot of items I don't need. I suppose I am more aware of this during Advent than any other time of the year. I spend much more time indoors as the weather grows colder. And as I consider the twin purposes of Advent, to prepare for the celebration of Christmas and to ready myself for Christ's second coming, I have a heightened sense of what is necessary and what is not for these two things.

So part of my Advent discipline this year is going to be decluttering, combined with early gifting. Some of my stuff will be donated. Some will make its way to the dumpster. Some will find its way as early, second-hand gifts to others. And, of course, most of it I will keep. And some of it I will hoard.

What I am finding, as I begin this process of giving things away, is how incredibly freeing this all is. And the less I have, the more I have. Such is the logic of the Gospel.

In a few weeks, on the Third Sunday of Advent (December 13), we will be invited to consider the practical dimensions of John the Baptist's preaching as we prepare for the coming of the Messiah. He calls the people to repent and prepare, but they won't let him off the hook. It is almost as if they are saying, "Preacher, help us out here. What does it mean for us to repent and prepare?"

And the crowds asked [John the Baptist], "What then should we do?" In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages." (Luke 3:10-14)

Decluttering. Renunciation. Almsgiving. Simplifying. Being content. Not taking more than we need. There seems to be some connection between these things and preparing for our Messiah, who first came in simple circumstances, in a manger, because there was no room for Him.

I don't want to add to your to-do list this time of year. But you may just find that giving things away might just be the way of life we're all called to, the way of the Gospel, the way of Jesus. For this same Messiah who came in a manger and who is coming again in glory, says,

For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it (Luke 9:24).

Blessed Advent to you all!