Yesterday I was happy to wake up. Although I’d never admit it publicly, for almost two years there has been a teeny bit of me shivering in a corner wondering if the Mayans were actually correct and the world was going to end on 12.21.12.
I know it was silly. It’s just not logical to put so much faith in an ancient calendar that ended centuries after its civilization died out. I’ve been kidding about it, saying that my calendar runs out every December 31st.; so I simply get a new one for the new year. Or maybe the Mayans just couldn’t find a larger stone. Silly or not, given the number of doomsday prophecies in my own adult life, we humans do seem to be hardwired to look to “the end”. Whether it’s an awareness of human failings that makes many believe the entire world must be made to suffer collectively; to be punished; I don’t know but the reality for most of us is that our world will end singularly and relatively quietly when we draw our last breath.
In my own faith tradition, these past four weeks we have been celebrating Advent, a time of preparation for the coming of Christ. To many that means making ready for a little baby born in a stable. For us, it is a time to remember that we, just like Mary, by virtue of our baptism, have been chosen to bare Christ into the world; not just in the nice easy places, but in the dirty smelly stables as well. Our weekly scripture readings have a dark theme, to prepare ourselves, to stay vigilant, to “keep our lamps trimmed and burning” because we never know when the end will come; could be tomorrow or generations from now. What is a soul to do?
Well, for me, now that I am confident the Mayan calendar held no other purpose to mankind than any of the many calendars I receive yearly from the National Wildlife Conservancy, the ASPCA, the local Chinese restaurant and my church, I will take that little bit of me that’s been shivering in the corner and gather the energy spent on this silliness and put it to good use.
I will stay vigilant and continue to prepare not by stashing away canned goods and fuel, but by sharing what I have with those who have less. I will try my best to carry my lamp with the light of Christ to those who have bits of themselves shivering in corners, leading them out to the warmth. It is a time to “lighten up”, to bring joy and light and most of all hope to this darkest time of year.
I was reminded of this when I came down to the kitchen this morning. Andy had some friends over last night and my counter was cluttered with the remnants of entertaining. I signed because I am so very weary of cleaning the kitchen and emptying the dishwasher after weeks of cookie baking and my own entertaining. Then, I read my new cookie plate and let it all go.