Advent Thoughts
- Leann D’Souza
As the year comes to a close, many experience a slower work period as schools and colleges break for vacation. This is the time most people are busy arranging Christmas gatherings, travel, and family vacations. Amidst all of this, we must not forget that the season of Advent is a call to spiritual renewal, to deeper love, to fruitful meditation on key figures of our salvation history (the prophets, Mary, John the Baptist). Each Season in the church's Liturgical calendar has a specific focus. In today’s hustle and bustle, let us find ways to go deeper into this season of Advent.
Will Christmas be just about merriment, or will it also be a time for deeper reflection on the person of Jesus? Just like any relationship that blossoms when given time, our relationship with Christ evolves as we get to know ourselves and God better. Jesus tells his followers to wash each other’s feet. (John 13:14) For the ecological steward, it would mean to follow sustainable practices, keeping harmful practices at bay and preserving the planet for the future generations. We must do our part of learning, caring and taking care of the spaces that we are part of.
We also need to see our suppressed emotions like anger, shame, and the hurts we carry, and turn them to God. Though we may ignore these emotions, God wants to come into the miserable areas of our lives to bring restoration and healing. With that healing, we can go forth as Earth warriors, courageously bringing about change.
God is steady with graces, but we must take the step to leave our old ways behind and be ready to change ourselves with His grace.
Consider how you want to approach this Christmas. What struggles are you facing that you wish to overcome? Sometimes we have so much on our minds that we do not really know where the problem lies. I invite you to take a sheet of paper and write down everything that is bothering you - Situations you want to overcome but don't know how to deal with or relationships you wish could be transformed and different.
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Christmas is about bringing the light, which means bringing the dark areas of our lives into the presence of God, who is light. Be very honest with yourself and be ready to take the hard steps toward change.
How will you bring about change in your life?
- Do you want more family time, healthier lifestyles, or more inclusive spaces in your institutions where ideas are born?
To achieve this, look at yourself with utmost honesty and do not shy away from the things you’ve hidden.
I begin my day by nurturing my relationship with God. This is the place where I find my identity and from this well I am able to relate with the world.
At times, for me, praying is sitting in a church and relaxing, knowing that God is turning everything flowing from my being into love. Just being myself without anybody.
Examining Our Habits
In this fast-moving world, we unknowingly embrace many things without realizing how they damage our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and also the environment. Excessive consumption has become the norm. While living well is important, we also need to differentiate between what is truly important and what adds unnecessarily to the planet's carbon footprint.
Examine how you will celebrate Christmas: Will it be just an outward celebration with lights, or will you allow the true light of Christ to enter into your very being? Today, the world suffers from the great poverty of not understanding our human selves. To have a special connection with living beings, we need to cultivate compassion to see the beauty in creation.
Activities to Foster Sensitivity
This will only come about by slowing down, silent reflection, and doing things that nurture our spirits, such as:
- Hobbies like painting
- Feeding stray animals
- Going for nature walks
- Spending time alone in silence
- Visiting a church
- Lighting a candle
- Visiting the elderly and sick
In other words, do things that will increase our sensitivity to the world around us, not forgetting to immerse ourselves in the Word of God and the fervent participation in the Holy Eucharist. The Biblical passages we will hear these weeks of Advent will speak to our hearts and invite us closer to personal meditation.
With this in mind, let us all look forward to simply celebrating a meaningful season of Advent and Christmas!