*Artwork by Maria G. De Lallo
O Day-Spring, Brightness of light eternal, and Sun of Justice, come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Happy 4th Sunday of Advent!
This Advent has flown by, as Advent usually does for me. And I feel, as I usually do, that I would like more time to prepare my soul for the coming of my Little Savior.
I love Advent. I love the waiting and the preparation and the hope that this year I will do better and be holier than last year.
Yet I usually come to the end of Advent feeling like I haven’t done enough or changed enough or prepared enough.
I want so badly to be ready to welcome God into my soul.
But I never am.
Then it occurred to me: maybe my idea of some perfect ‘readiness’ isn’t actually what God wants from me. Maybe my struggle to overcome my weaknesses and a humble admittance that I can’t do anything without the help of God is what He wants from me.
Our whole life’s purpose is to become ready for God in order to be united with Him for eternity in Heaven.
Our whole life is Advent.
So I guess my point is, if you’re anything like me and feel like Advent went too fast and you didn’t accomplish all that you wanted to, don’t be discouraged! God chose to be born in a stable and His presence there made that dirty place holy, He can be born in us just the same. Keep working towards holiness one day at a time and God will “Himself perfect you and confirm you and establish you” (St. Peter 5: 10)
Don’t give up. Place all your trust in God who came to us as a baby so that we might approach Him without fear and with the joy that only a baby brings.
I hope these last few days of Advent are truly beautiful, fruitful and filled with God’s gentle grace.
O come, Emmanuel!
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