Protonostalgia

      In the second chapter of our churchwide resource “Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience,” Ingrid McIntyre recalls the anxiety that she felt each year growing up as the daughter of a United Methodist pastor. Ingrid described a longing for stability that we can all appreciate.  While many of us might like surprises, we prefer pleasant surprises that are not too frequent.  Around this time of the year, there is a growing sense of anticipation for a wide range of positive emotions that include time with family, lots of good food, gifts galore, favorite movies, special gifts and other timeless traditions.  Many of the things that are so closely associated with Advent and Christmas refer to moments that we’ve never experienced.

Protonostalgia refers to an emotion of nostalgia associated with a time in which you’ve never lived.  The term, nostalgia, is derived from the Greek word nostos meaning homecoming and algos which means pain. The longing to return home can be so severe as to lead to death. The term nostalgia was first used medically in 1688 by a Swiss physician, Johannes Hofer. There were over 70 cases of death by nostalgia recorded in the Union Army during the Civil War. It is quite difficult to imagine homesickness so severe as to be fatal. However, many of us would consider it almost unimaginable not to be home for Christmas.

Yet, the circumstances surrounding the birth of our Savior describe a situation in which not only are Mary and Joseph not at home, they are without adequate housing.  Ingrid’s chapter details her personal and professional journey that resulted in a critical confrontation with homelessness. Our typical, commercialized recollections and traditions surrounding Christmas focus upon picturesque scenes of happy endings and perfect romance. The systemic oppression that was endured during the first Christmas and the violence that characterized the life of Christ is completely eschewed.  

While the memories of Christmas are so often accompanied by unparalleled beauty, we are invited and challenged to better understand the breadth of the difficult circumstances that existed and continue to exist all around us. The theme of the second Sunday of Advent is hope. There is a hope and a longing we all feel during this time of the year as we remember the need that existed during that first Christmas for a Savior; that same sense of longing exists even now for a Savior to set us free from our often narrowed focus upon ourselves.  

As we move closer to the celebration of Christmas, may the hope of Advent lead our expectant hearts to continue the work of liberating those who are oppressed and sharing the message of hope with those who have not experienced it. We are looking forward to seeing you in worship and in class.  

In Christ,
Jon McCoy