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for processions with banners and candles. On Dec. 13, Scandinavians share St. Lucia (light) cus-
toms: a “Lucy” is chosen and wears a crown of candles on her head, followed by a bevy of star children. Tey serve traditional rolls, shining yellow with egg yolk and saffron and fragrant with cardamom. Tey wake up a household or a whole parish aſter eucharist with their breakfast for a dark morning. On the last days of Advent, Latinos celebrate Las
Posadas—seeking a home for Mary and Joseph. Te crèche figures process from household to household, hoping to be invited in and honored as they make their way to the stable. How many ways do we refuse shelter to the poor? How do we discover Christ in the lowliest? Is our
understanding of this—a moment of goodwill—a public charity to assuage our consciences of overconsumption?
Advent leads us to the tree Can we see all of these Advent opportunities as a lesson in not just waiting for Christ, but becoming the Christ- bearer through this season and on to the mystery of the crucifixion and resurrection? If we prepare and hear the Gospels for the four weeks
of Advent, certainly our Christmastime is not a single day. Te “12 days of Christmas” aren’t before Christ- mas, but they are the Christmas season that now, fully prepared and ready, we celebrate, clear that Jesus Christ is born in our own flesh and blood. What a burst of joy when we gather around the tree, which is fresh, green and fragrant (which it can’t be, if we set it up at Tanksgiving). Out of the darkness, and in the glow of only
four candles from our Advent wreath, we are finally greeted by the blaze of lights on this tree of life.
On Christmas Eve the waiting really does
lead us into promise. Here this tree of life and promise is the tree of knowledge, the tree of our fall, the “happy fault” that brings us onward through Christ’s tree of the cross, the tree of our salvation. We sing our first carols, the table dances
with our favorite traditional breads and foods. Te hearth breathes warmth and lights. If you have even an ounce of creative theater in you, you’ll know how to bring this moment to life. Bring on the gatherings and visits, with giſt
exchanges and feasting, with outings and carol singing, with the full-on cheer that Christ is indeed among us. Behold, these are the tidings of great joy
that we have longed for. Tis is a taste of heaven. Te darkness is behind us.
Author bio: Mueller Nelson, a freelance writer, illustrator and speaker, lives in San Diego. She is the author of several books, including To Dance With God: Family Ritual and Community Celebration (Paulist Press, 1986).
GERTRUD MUELLER NELSON 24
www.thelutheran.org
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