Advent – a season of waiting, expecting, anticipating, and preparing. In many ways, the past two years have been an “advent” for me, and perhaps for some of you as well. We have been waiting for funds to be raised, plans to be drawn, builders to be hired, ground to be broken, foundations to be dried, building to begin, delays to cease, inspections to be passed – praying and anticipating all the while. Waiting is difficult and tedious, but must be endured. We do not like to wait!

The Church in its wisdom gives us this season of Advent to reflect, pray, and prepare for the biggest event in salvation history, the birth of our Lord. I propose to live Advent this year with intentionality. Rather than the tedious endurance of the passing of time, I intend to use this season in expectant anticipation and preparation. Instead of tuning into the more secular tunes of Christmas on my radio, spending time wandering the stores and websites for the perfect gifts, or decking the halls of my home, I want to spend time with the hymns of the Church, setting up our creche, and praying in quiet candlelight. Realistically, I will still shop, bake, and decorate, but I plan to be more thoughtful in living Advent this month. I won’t just endure it. 

Lest we forget, Advent is known as a penitential season (as is Lent). It is not intended to be spent in revelry and celebration. That is for Christmas! Some practices we employ during Lent are also appropriate in Advent, such as sacrifice and penance. Something my family does during Advent is to place a mini crib or basket in our living room. We then place a piece of straw (paper strips, ribbon, or yarn) in the crib whenever we make a sacrifice. Hopefully, by Christmas, there will be a soft bed for Jesus to lay in.

Waiting may be hard, but we also often hear, “all good things come to those who wait”. Today was our first day in our new home (praise God!). And I can promise you, it has been worth the wait.

AUTHOR: Eileen Ford, Kindergarten Assistant