Advent

Well, here it is, Advent again! Advent is always a special time
of preparation. As we know, society as a whole will be gearing up
toward big celebrations as we move into the Christmas shopping
season. This might actually give us an advantage for Advent,
because it might help us to resonate a bit more easily than usual with
Advent‘s note of anticipation and preparation. Nevertheless, the
usual challenge remains – trying to enter into the spiritual meaning of
this time without being too distracted by the commercial and social
dimensions of the season.
Also, the tendency of some to focus on apocalyptic threats as the
end of another year approaches, might prompt us to really try harder
to give all of our attention to the positive side of Advent this year!
We must never forget that Advent is a time of rejoicing that Christ
has actually come into our world and that redemption has, in fact,
begun! Therefore, the emphasis we give to Advent this year should
be based on something positive! We must commit ourselves to
concrete actions that can truly make our world a better place to live
in!
Perhaps we should take a leaf out of John the Baptist‘s book.
His preparation was not an overloading, but a stripping down, a
getting rid of the baggage we carry. John suggests that we enter into
a state of stillness and openness, so that we will then be ready to be
filled. It is a true paradox! How do we get ready for the unknown?
Our practice is often to try to out-give the great Giver. We are asked
instead to let go of everything so that we may be ready to receive.
We cannot have open hands if they are full of shopping lists of
carefully defined hopes and expectations. We have to give access to
the unknown and the unexpected coming of God into our lives and
hearts!
Let us stay alert by living the values of the Redeemer in our own
place and time. The memory of Jesus becomes life for us not only in
the Eucharist, but when we share with others the truth and the values
that Jesus so readily shared with us. His life comes alive when we
bring him into the present tense! Thus, people can experience
something of God‘s forgiveness and love through our graced
struggle. Meantime, we wait. And we pray that the Lord will grant
us peace ―as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior,
Jesus Christ.‖