Advent & Money: The Joy of Money!
December has long been associated with the holiday season and one of the many shared traditions is that of Advent celebrated by most Christian denominations and perhaps celebrated by you in your home with or without religious connection. Advent calendars count the days down to Christmas by opening a door, drawer or box with a chocolate, small gift, a mini LEGO set or a beauty product. Advent is a time of anticipation, preparation and celebration culminating in the arrival or coming (the simple definition of the word advent) of Jesus. Traditionally, advent is celebrated for the four Sundays that precede Christmas Day with each Sunday focusing on a different theme - Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.
For this Advent Season I wish to reflect on these themes and their connection to money and our financial lives. May these reflections elicit their theme within you and well as prepare you for the end of this year and the next.
The Joy of Money
Have you ever been around a really disciplined person that seems miserable in their discipline? This is different from struggling towards a desired goal since usually there is purpose and great excitement in accomplishing it. I’m more thinking of those that take no pleasure in what they are doing.
Sometimes this is the way it is with money. Strict discipline without any sense of joy. Without joy, self-control lacks a critical component. Sometimes money creates the opposite of joy when an unexpected expense pops up, the price of things keep rising or that pay raise looks like a nickel more on your paycheck.
Yet, money is meant to be a source of joy - maybe this is why we shake cards upon opening them to see if any money falls out. The joy is found in using money for the good of others. Self-control, joy and charity are intertwined and nowhere do we see this more than when we focus on advent.
We are familiar with the carol “We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts, we travel so far.” referencing gifts the Magi brought to Jesus. There is such joy that comes with buying gifts for someone else. To celebrate another. To express relationship. This is essential to our spirit and why there is often so much joy during this season.
Money does not produce joy on its own.
Money’s ability to buy happiness caps out.
Money's ability to buy joy has no ceiling.
When we connect money to deeper virtues that is what gives money its meaning and power. It is a tremendous thing when we use our resources to communicate what is deep and true about us as people. Each wrapped present under a tree is an expression of that. Each time you have the opportunity to spend money on another is joy. Tipping is an expression of joy. Birthday gifts are joy. A card or flowers is joy.
Too often, money is a source of anxiety and robs us of our joy. This season of Advent, be reminded of the joy that money can buy with each gift, card, party and meal spent with another - that is joy!