Advent, a season of preparation

Ok, let´s just go ahead and confess that many of us are unapologetically busy during Advent, these four weeks leading up to Christmas—busy, but rarely frantic or pressured. Our hands are busy, but our hearts can at the same time experience the hush of Advent if we make sure we don´t forget what Christmas is all about.

We put up lights on our trees and bushes and place lit stars in our windows because, when I come home after a long day at work, I get a little dose of joy when I see my same old street transformed into a cozy wonderland, despite the lack of snow. I’m reminded that God is not only our light in the darkness, but also has a way of transforming what is ordinary (a baby, a cattle stall, a weary heart) into something unexpected, delightful, extraordinary.

Sometimes the work of making room for God is internal and still—silence, prayer, reflection. And sometimes it is outward and active—preparing our nativity scene on a table for Christmas.

One of my favorite prayers is: “Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you
with gladness and singleness of heart.” When we decorate our Christmas tree with Christmas carols blasting on the stereo, and go from store to store searching for a particular gift, we should do so with gladness and singleness of heart. Knowing why we are doing it, and understanding that I choose to do it out of love, not obligation. These practical preparations are just as vital to my Advent as the lighting of Advent candles.

There are no Christmas elves to perform the many tasks that lead up to a joyful Christmas. There is only us—our busy hands, our expectant hearts, both preparing to welcome the long-awaited, incarnate love of God, both necessary for knowing that love more deeply and sharing it more widely.

May God bless you during this preparation season!

/Mark

 

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