Today we begin the liturgical season of Advent, starting a new Church Year. Advent is the season of patient waiting for the coming of our redeemer. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Advent has a twofold character, for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered; and likewise it is a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. For these two reasons, Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight.”
As we patiently await the coming of Jesus at Christmas, are we expectantly awaiting the Second Coming of our Savior into our own lives? “Christmas is a privileged opportunity to meditate on the meaning and value of our existence. The approach of this Solemnity helps us on the one hand to reflect on the drama of history in which people, injured by sin, are perennially in search of happiness and of a fulfilling sense of life and death; and on the other, it urges us to meditate on the merciful kindness of God who came to man to communicate to him directly the Truth that saves; and to enable him to partake in his friendship and his life. Therefore, let us prepare ourselves for Christmas with humility and simplicity, making ourselves ready to receive as a gift the light, joy, and peace that shine from this mystery” (Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, December 17, 2008).
Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We, who have so much to do, seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
My hidden Lord Jesus, I love You and thank You with profound gratitude for uniting Yourself with fallen humanity. When You first entered into this world, You remained hidden for nine months in the immaculate womb of Your Blessed Mother. She carried You, body and blood, soul and divinity, within the sanctuary of her body. She also carried You within her heart as a result of her perfect love for You and her perfect obedience to the will of the Father.
Precious Lord, as I embrace this Advent Season, please open my eyes to see the great value and blessing of Your Incarnation. Help me to discover Your hidden presence in this world and within my own soul. I desire to see, understand and experience the profound effects that Your Incarnation has on my life, and I desire to receive those effects more fully this Advent. May I also become a sanctuary in which You dwell so that I, like Your dear Mother, may bring Your presence into the world.
My loving Jesus, I choose You, this Advent, as my King and my God. I abandon myself to You and seek to put all my trust in Your tender care. Draw me close to You and free me from my sin so that I may love You with a pure and holy heart.
Mother Mary, as You carried your dear Son in your immaculate womb, you also carried Him in your heart. Pray for me, this Advent, that I may surrender myself to the will of the Father in imitation of you. You said “Yes” to all that God asked of you and never hesitated to fully embrace His divine will. Pray that I may imitate your perfect example so as to share a deeper union with your divine Son. Amen!
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!