<h3>ADVENT BEGINS</h3>
Dec
2
Written by:
Saturday, December 02, 2006
December 2, 2006
Advent is meant to be a time of anticipation and hope. Instead, for many of us it becomes a season with too much crammed into our lives: shopping, decorating, socializing, and getting ready for the 25th. Others, on the other hand, are experiencing loneliness and the very real loss of loved ones who are no longer with us.
So Advent is really a time of contradictions. Our Lord came into a world that was expecting a messiah; it's true, but not one born to a poor couple in a stable! The people were hoping for a conqueror, and instead they got a crucified Messiah. In the same way, we hope for an Advent season of peace, love and joy but frequently find something very different!
Our Lord wants to meet us this Advent where we really live and work. If we are hurting from a loss, Jesus wants to come to us and share our sorrow. He is no disinterested bystander, but someone who cares deeply, even if we don't yet fully understand what Our Lord has in mind for us.
If our lives tend to be somewhat frantic at this time of year, allow Jesus to accompany you through the stores and chores and all the rest. Don't leave him in church or the place where we pray. Speak to him as you go about your business these next four weeks. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your day; make these moments a kind of Advent present to the Lord.
Jesus is waiting for us with every grace right in the present moment. Advent is a time to have a new relationship with Jesus: one in which Jesus begins to accompany us throughout our days, in the details, in the busyness, in the loneliness, in the joys, frustrations, and anxiety that each Advent day brings us.
Father Gary