Are you ready for Christmas?
What is really implied by this question is; have you finished your Christmas shopping, decorated your house, sent out Christmas cards, and baked your cookies? For any number of us the list will vary slightly.
Last Christmas I had an enlightening moment. It was about 10 days to Christmas and I was asked “Are you ready for Christmas?” I replied “NO” I am not. By this time, I had completed my shopping, baked all my cookies, my house was decorated and all my Christmas cards were sent out. Why wasn’t I ready?
Being ready for Christmas is not about all the trimmings and parties. Well, what is Christmas really about, then? I am sure most of you know where I am going with this.
I wasn’t ready for Christmas because I had not taken the time to purchase Advent candles, we were not reflecting on the birth of Christ in our daily routine as a family; I hadn’t yet gone to confession and I hadn’t yet made a donation to a charity or family in need in our community.
So I vowed that next year would be different. Is it? So far, I have not started shopping or baking yet. It’s still early isn’t? I am not fretting, in the end all these things get done somehow anyway. I have already purchased my Advent candles, and I have signed up to receive daily e-mail with Advent prayers and activities for the kids from Advent Adventures at: http://www.holyheroes.com/?Click=670
We have our information for the family we are adopting this Christmas, and we’ve signed up to participate in the Christmas Eve liturgy at our parish.
The start of Advent is a special time of year. This time of year especially it’s important, that we contemplate and reflect on “the word made flesh” and I attempt to ensure that together with my family we will make special time for reflection every day.
Why would God, who is a supreme being, perfect in every way. Looking down on us from Heaven, where there is joy and peace and love, surrounded by His angels and saints be so concerned with us, that He would send His son to become one of us. A God, become human. We all know as much as we may be dignified creatures, there are some very unpleasant human traits that Jesus had to contend with, fatigue, hunger, physical illness and pain- just to mention a few. Why leave heaven to become on of us?
A week ago, I took some time to watch a movie with my husband. While this movie is not one I would recommend for the squeamish viewers, and it is definitely NOT a family movie. The end of movie really struck me. Perhaps some of you may have seen it, “30 Days of Night.” Well, it takes place in a small town in Alaska, where the sun will not shine for 30 days, so of course, some ghastly vampire like zombies come to town to feast on the town’s people. While a few of the characters attempt to hide out and fight back, there is one particular character named Eben, who stands out above the rest. His strong family ties and values are apparent throughout the film. He comes to the conclusion that the only way to defeat this evil and to save his friends and family is to become one of the ghastly creatures. To become one of them also means he must die like one of them. He makes this decision, with no concern as to what it means for himself, all that matters is saving others. This self sacrificing choice is driven out of his love for his family and friends. Sound familiar?
Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
Secondly, this time of year presents a unique opportunity to look at the Mother of Jesus. There are a few feast days coming up commemorating the Mother of our Lord: December 8th – Immaculate Conception; December 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe; January 1st – Mary Mother of God. As we look to Mary we see her quietness, her humility and her strength. She would have to have had a strong faith and great courage to say “YES’ to bearing a child who is the son of God. Mary would have to have been without sin, God would not have chosen any woman to be the earthly Mother of his son. She was highly favored with God and therefore we too should look to her as an example of faith, humility and strength. Contemplate our own willingness to say “YES” to all the Lord asks of us.
And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. Luke 1:28-30
One of the ways I am recommending my friends and family to contemplate Mary this advent, is by working with a team to plan a Morning of Spiritual Renewal in Brampton ON on December 13th. Please contact me if you would like to attend and I’ll provide the details for you.
Thirdly, with my husband and the children we have started a sacrifice list - one of the many great ideas from “Advent Adventures”. Every day/week they choose a sacrifice out a handful of folded papers in a Christmas box. On this little paper there will be a concrete task or additional prayer idea for them to fulfill that day/week. They actually look forward to getting a new paper from the Sacrifice list – imagine finding joy in the midst of making sacrifices
Of course, we have decorated our home, we will attend a select few Christmas gatherings and company Christmas parties and perhaps even host a party in our home, but our focus always is on keeping Christ as our centre, contemplating His birth and allowing him to be born in our hearts once again!
Have a blessed Advent season!
