Advent Reflections

Happy Advent! It’s been a really busy week. It was the week of formation for Honduran youth, it is mission-prep week (even though I’m not going I still have my kid’s projects to create), and I had school. God has had to give me the strength to make it this week because it has been like living two days within the span of one day. I’m not complaining, though. I really enjoy school and I have enjoyed being present for part of the formation week and getting to know the youth. They should have a wonderful mission next week. They are hungry for God and hungry to bring Him to others.

Part of my job to prepare for the mission was to write the Advent reflections that will be copied and sent with each team. It got me thinking, what does Advent really mean? Sure we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, we welcome Him into our hearts now, and we prepare for His coming in the future. But what is the deeper meaning? I think the words awe and longing sum that up for me this year. The longing we all have for God and for His love and the awe of one who realizes how much God loves us and that the creator of the universe became man and dwelt among us. Most the time I find myself simply brushing past that truth. I’ve heard it since I was little. But in the moments when I stop to think…wow.

Then today in school we celebrated Mass. (On a side note, they celebrated in English since it is a bilingual school and I have forgotten the responses in English!) In his homily, Father brought up an interesting point that I had never thought of before. We get gifts for friends, family, everyone. But we are celebrating the birthday of Jesus. What does He get? Father suggested asking Him what He wants (or better yet, just like with our own families, asking His mom what He wants.) Faith? Trust? A closer relationship with us? I just had never thought of it like that before.

I hope that this Advent we can all grow closer to God and look beyond the wrappings and the trappings. God bless.