We don’t have to look too far these days to see that very soon we will be at the peak of the celebration of Christmas. Trees and ornaments have already been displayed for weeks at our local shopping centers, holiday music has filled the air all around us, the parties have started, and the pressure of gift shopping has come upon us as well!
Many of us can experience a great amount of anxiety and stress during this so called “holiday season.” It can be very easy for us to get caught up with all things “commercial Christmas” at this time of the year. This may cause us to lose our spiritual focus during the Advent season we are just now beginning.
Today, on this First Sunday of Advent, we are reminded to take some steps back from all of the material pressure that may be placed upon us at this time. Our Scriptures today encourage us to reflect on the true meaning of this current season–a time in which we are reminded “to be prepared” and “to wait” for “the coming of the Lord.”
Oh yes, it's a good thing to recall with joy that soon we will once again be celebrating the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem–even if this includes “holiday activities” that are really more secular than faith-based. But as Christians, we must never lose touch with the more important reality presented to us during our observance of Advent. That reality is our hope that Jesus will come again, and that we must be ready for that day! Advent for us is a time of hopeful expectation of things yet to come.
With regards to this, Jesus tells us in the Gospel today: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy . . . and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap . . . be vigilant at all times and pray that you have strength” (see Luke 21:34-36).
And so my sisters and brothers, let us not be too overtaken by all that “commercial Christmas” out there, and certainly may we not be overcome by the concurrent anxiety it could possibly cause! May we fully and cheerfully enjoy those trees and the bright lights, the fun of holiday shopping, the Christmas carols filling the air with cheer, the social gatherings and all the food that comes with them, and the joy of these days, but let us not lose our true spiritual focus! As people of hope during this time of Advent, may we encourage one another in the faith that our Messiah, Jesus the Christ, will actually come again.
May we be prepared for that day with peace and joy, and may we know that it will bring us to completion as both individuals and as a people of God! Happy Holidays my friends!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
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