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Yet another Advent season is upon us, a time of preparation, reflecting, anticipation, new beginnings. FOR WHAT? A first thought might be the birth of Jesus Christ, obviously Jesus has already been born so it’s not just about his actual birth. Rather we celebrate the anniversary of his birthday. Much like our own birthday we recognize it as a special day and maybe even have a party. Thus we celebrate Christmas, a joyous happy day in which we (hopefully) remember the birth of our Lord and Savior. A time we recall the story of the “Nativity” that night in which Mary delivered to the world the most precious gift of all, our hope of salvation.
Certainly while this is true, do we really need to set aside an entire month recognizing it as “advent” to put colored lights all over our house and depictions of that Nativity scene in our yards just for this big birthday party on December 25th? Well in a sense yes, BUT it’s much more than that. Think of it as decorating yourself, that is preparing our minds and hearts for what is to come. Again you ask FOR WHAT?
It’s important that we recognize and celebrate that first coming of Jesus, but more importantly that we are prepared for his second coming. Advent actually means “coming” or “to come to”. Jesus told us that he would come again for the salvation of the righteous. The righteous, those who have remained faithful and prepared themselves, minds and hearts, to receive the tremendous gift offered by Jesus at his second coming.
Just as this is the beginning of a new liturgical year so it can be a new beginning for each of us as well. Advent can be a time to reflect on our own lives and decorate, our internal being. Reconcile with God and others, deepen your relationship with Jesus and anticipate the second coming of our Savior.
Cursillo has given us the tools of Piety, Study and Action to help build our relationship with Jesus, to strengthen it and to keep our inner self brightly and fully decorated so that we are ready to joyously and beautifully meet our salvation when he comes again.
May you and your families have a blessed and fruitful Advent and stand ever ready to receive that most magnificent gift of all.
Deacon Gary |
