The Old Window: Our First Advent: A Simple Path to a More Meaningful Christmas

Brass crucifix illuminated by the warm glow of a candle

My alarm goes off at 5:00 AM, then 5:30, 5:40, and one last time at 5:45 AM. Then, I tell myself, "it is now or never, so just get the hell up and do what you have to, even when it feels like you can't."

In the living room, I am greeted by strong, cold winds and whispers seeping in through the darkness. Winter is here, the days are shorter, the nights are long. The dark nights do not let the days out very early, suffocating them for as long as they can. I tighten my woollen shrug and drown my palms in its pockets. I close a window or two and hear the cries of community dogs, cold and hungry in the night, with nobody to call their own. Outside, on the dimly lit, misty street, I see milkmen on bicycles and milk vans lining up to do their daily duties - delivering the daily bread, milk, and other life essentials for sustenance for the old, for the young.

The tea is brewing on the stove in my dimly lit kitchen. I pick up my mobile phone and play the chants of Lord Ganesh - my favourite God, who brings back so many childhood memories of times spent in his worship when he used to visit my maternal grandparents' house. My grandparents are no longer with us, but their legacy endures. Now, those moments play in my mind. With age, I find them becoming blurry, and I worry that one day, they might be erased from my mind completely. I dread that. We all need that one escape from reality. Imagine life without it. What is life, then? Survival mode.

Having said that, we are always taught to look on the brighter side of things; to take things in our stride, make compromises and adjust, because there are so many people in circumstances worse than our own; we must think about them and draw our courage to go on in life, no matter how impossible it seems. And, therefore, we ought to be happy.

That is the dark and gloomy stuff. Let us change our mood a little bit.

Alas! Winter is here, and so is the time for the season to be jolly. Soon, I will curl up on the couch with my daughter and watch our favourite Christmas movies together. We will decorate our real Christmas tree with fairy lights, angels, stars, and other glossy knick-knacks.

This year, I have pledged to make this Christmas count. Being a non-Christian, but a believer in all faiths, I find that Christmas celebrations are cliched - the Christmas tree, the decorations, the lights, the sweets, the ubiquitous 'funfair' in residential societies, mega sales, grand Christmas tree installations in malls, a Santa Claus in playschools, that render this deep and profound occasion as a hyper-commercialised commodity. But what is the true meaning and spirit of Christmas?

Monochrome image of a crucifix highlighted by gentle contrasts of light and shadow.

It lies in the tolling of the Church bells, in the families and community that pray, sing carols, and laugh together. It lies in the joy of giving and sharing, not just feasting on mulled wine and divine cake.

So, that is Christmas for you. However, I always wondered when exactly we begin preparing for Christmas. Is it 5 days before the birth of the baby Jesus? 10 days? 15 days? I really didn't know. And this surprised me, for Christmas is one of my favourite festivals after Ganpati.

Google, my old friend, says that Christmas preparations start on the first day of Advent, which begins 25 days before Christmas Day. And thus began my journey of exploring Advent, its significance, and what it symbolises. When I discovered more, I regretted not having known about it earlier. Advent is the start of the preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. It includes a simple yet wholesome ritual of lighting a candle each Sunday until Christmas Day in the centre of a wreath with holly leaves; one can add other decorations too, as there are no limitations - belief is what counts the most.

The first two candles are a deep, rich purple, signifying Hope and Faith. The third and fourth candles are pink and purple (again), representing Joy and Peace. The final candle is the white Christ Candle, which is to be lit on his day of birth.

Lit purple Advent candle glowing softly against a wreath decorated with fairy lights.

I began my observance of Advent today, sharing some glimpses of the setup - nothing too jazzy, loud, or fancy, just sincere. An artificial wreath and green fairy lights, in a blessed home filled with contentment and happiness. A home where children's laughter echoes, where the aroma of Sunday's cooking made with love and patience drifts through. A home that rests when tired, nourishes and nurtures, and keeps us safe.

Sundays are perfect to keep my daughter busy and screen-free. She bribed her closest friends with cake to help her decorate the Christmas tree and make Santa Claus from sugar fondant, thanks to her grandmother, a celebrated baker and food creator! Board games and mischief followed, and goodbyes concluded the day. It was indeed a wonderful First Sunday of Advent. So much better than taking the children to a mall, where they become mere consumers. They learned so much right here in the heart of home, and so did I.

Happy Advent! Until I write again.