Keeping Christ in season
A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. Free gift wrapping.
"O' Holy Night." Midnight Madness Sale.
The greatest gift ever given. Gift cards, gift certificates, gift bags.
During the holiday season, the world's message often drowns out the religious aspects of the season. But many families take steps to retain the religious reasons for Christmas.
The Merhaut Family of Butler utilizes an Advent wreath to help keep the focus on Jesus Christ during the holiday season. Advent is the season four weeks prior to Christmas and begins four Sundays before Christmas Day.
Advent can be celebrated weekly or daily throughout the four weeks, signifying a time to prepare and anticipate the birth of Christ.
"The four candles represent love, hope, peace and joy," said Amy Merhaut.
She and her husband, John, and their children, ranging from 3 to 12 years old, say they find comfort and joy in reinforcing the true meaning of the holiday in a tangible way.
"Our Advent season is all about preparing our hearts, minds and home for the birth of Jesus," Amy Merhaut said.
"Our devotions always focus on the weekly theme of the Advent candle, which breaks down into daily messages.
"We talk about things like kindness to others, community service, penance and asking for forgiveness," she added.
"Our goal at the end of Advent is to be better people, spiritually, so that when Christ comes to us on Dec. 25 we can humbly welcome him."
"The kids enjoy it and look forward to Advent," said John Merhaut. "They like to be involved. One of the older kids can light the candle, the younger ones can do a reading and the youngest ones pick the song we do."
Advent calendars are another way to count down the days until Christmas. They contain 24 flaps, many with a Scripture reference under each.
Keeping Christ at the center of the season is how the Tabacchi family of Jefferson Township keeps Christmas in perspective.To downplay the commercial aspects of Christmas, the Tabacchis limit their giving to three gifts per child, basing that number on the Bible's account of Jesus receiving three different types of gifts."Now after visiting the grandparents and aunts and uncles the overall total is much higher, but we keep it simple and it really helps the season keep its real meaning," Denise Tabacchi said.Denise and her husband, Daryl, have three children, ages 2, 5 and 7."We also read the biblical account of Christ's birth while sipping hot cider, and (we) pile together in front of the fireplace," she added.Reading the Christmas story from the Bible seems to be one way people refocus their priorities at Christmas. Lisa Adler and her family from Penn Township also have incorporated that into their Christmas tradition."Amid many of our Christmas traditions, there is one I appreciate most," said Adler. "No one is ever allowed downstairs where the tree is until given permission. I put the tree lights on and beautiful Christmas music to set the mood.""However, before we descend to the tree, we as a family all pile into our bed and my husband, Dan, will read to us the Christmas story from Luke," said Adler."After we stop and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and the greatest gift ever given, then we go down and celebrate with opening our gifts," she said.Caroling is another way some people keep their focus on Christ. Pam Calhoun of Butler Township is among a group from Butler Church of the Nazarene that carols for residents who can't make it to church."We've gone to people's homes and to nursing homes to carol, to family members of our congregation and former members, as well as current members who can't get out to our services," she said.On Sunday, Calhoun and about 15 other members of the church will load into the church van and cars to bring the music of the season."Many of us are regulars and we look forward to the opportunity each year. It is a spiritual blessing — keeping us mindful of the meaning of the season — and is a blessing to those we carol to, as well helping to get them into the holiday spirit," she said.
