Yesterday marked the beginning of the Advent Season, the season in the liturgical year in which we prepare for the mystery of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. It is the time of year where Catholics all across the world prepare to welcome Christ, the Messiah. I was reading a little meditation yesterday in an Advent meditation book, and it said something interesting. While I can't quote verbatim, since I don't have the book with me, it basically said that the notion of the Messiah at the time of Christ had become one associated with power, making Israel to be a world power. That was the notion of Messiah. How paradoxical was it to have the Messiah come not with horns blazing, and trumpets sounding, but rather in a manger in Belthlehem, surrounded by sheep and farm animals? For Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and this is reflected even in His birth.
In the Advent Season, there is often the hustle and bustle of rougly a million other things going on. Parties, Christmas shopping, Christmas Cards, caroling, and many other things. To be perfectly blunt, it is the busiest time of the year for most people. As a result of how busy it is, even the most well intentioned people can forget to do things that they are intending. Often, prayer can be sacrificed for another 20 minutes of Christmas shopping, or for your neighbor's party, or for a host of other things which "seem" more important. But really, to get into the Christmas spirit, one must first truly recognize the real meaning of Christmas, and that is that it is Jesus' birthday, the day where the Son of God came into the world, not with horns blowing, but in the most humblest of ways. Once we recognize why we celebrate Christmas, that should move us to reflect more on that, rather than the number of Christmas cards to be sent out.
Now, by saying this, I am not saying that one should forget all of those other things that happen in the Advent and Christmas Season, rather, one should direct all of those fun activities throughout December towards the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Write your Christmas Cards, remembering to give thanks to God for the gift of His Son. Go shopping for gifts for others, remembering that God gave us the gift of His Son for the redemption of man, and that by giving gifts we are in imitation of God. Go to parties and give thanks to God for the gift of Jesus. And remember, please take some time each day reflecting on the real reason of Christmas, and direct all you do to prepare yourself for Christmas. Christmas is the birth of Jesus, and during this time, ask God to give you the graces to make you alive in faith, hope and love. Like Mary cooperated with God to allow Jesus to enter the world, cooperate with God to allow Jesus to enter your hearts.
When Christmas comes, may we be ready. May we be adequately prepared to celebrate that wonderful mystery of God's love. And when we pray, let us remember to keep open the movings of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, that we may respond to God's call with eargerness and love.
For information on meditation books for the season of Advent, please contact your parish priest. Most parishes typically have meditation books available in the back of Church, and each daily meditation is typically less then 10 minutes, so it is a good way to spiritually prepare yourself for Christmas. I hope everybody had a joy filled Thanksgiving, and I hope your first week of Advent is one filled with joy and love. Please pray for me, and I will continue to pray for you.
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