Embedded Files
Dear Friends in Christ,
Greetings to you this Advent Season! Praised be Jesus Christ, Son of the Virgin Mary! Time is especially precious this month of December – time for preparations, time for visiting, time for children’s pageants and recitals. Most precious, however, is the time we
spend on “The Reason for the Season” – the preparation of ourselves and our families for the coming of Christ anew in our hearts. Several years ago, on a characteristically rainy December afternoon in Seattle, I visited a family of one of my students. Upon entering the home, I was greeted by Mom, Dad and all six children who seemed delighted to have “Sister” visit their home. I noticed a large, freshly cut fir tree in the corner of the living room that had very few decorations hanging upon it. Curious, I asked when they planned to trim the tree. They answered by showing me their daily Advent ritual. Each child brought a single ornament to the tree. As they hung it on a limb, the child shared the sacrifice or good work the ornament represented – an act of patience, giving up a treat, a prompt act of obedience – all done for the love of the Child Jesus soon to be born anew in their hearts. By Christmas the entire tree would be adorned with, not just beautiful ornaments, but with representations of loving virtue. The Christmas Tree became a symbol of the Christian Soul prepared to meet its Spouse, Jesus Christ, in His coming at Christmas, in the graces of daily life and at our death.
Two things are necessary to live the liturgical seasons well:
To understand it – by attending Mass, attentive reading and meditation on the mystery unfolding each season.
To apply it to our daily lives by surrounding ourselves with meaningful reminders and customs as was done in the story
above.
Let’s take time this Advent to delve into its true meaning. May our homes be an extension of our parish church rather than a reflection of the holiday isle at Walmart. The following is both a prayer and a pledge. Please reflect upon it with me and then
pray it as a promise to observe the true spirit of Advent in our homes and families.
From the Oblate Sisters of the Heart of Mary, we wish you all a blessed
Advent/Christmas Season and a grace filled New Year!
Page updated
Report abuse