Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples: "There will be signs in
the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in
anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens
will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with
power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and
raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. Beware that your hearts do
not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily
life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault
everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray
that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to
stand before the Son of Man."
* * *
Introductory Prayer: Heavenly Father, I gladly spend a few
minutes with you, to be close to you, because you know how much I need your
presence and grace in my life. You deserve to be the center of my thoughts and
desires; but often I let myself be taken up by the anxieties of daily life.
Sorry Lord, but at least here I am right now, hungry for you alone. Today,
Lord, I accompany the whole Church as we begin the Advent Season and begin to
prepare for your coming to earth as a baby on Christmas morning.
Petition: Lord,
prepare my heart for your coming at Christmas.
1. The
World Then and Now: When Christ came to earth 2,000 years ago
he encountered a world similar to the one we live in: far from God and full of
anxiety. The lives of many people of Christ’s time were devoid of meaning
because God had not yet sent his Son into the world. Today, as then, our world
often lives as if Christ had never come to earth. But hope is not lost. Christ
is our hope! Is my life full of meaning rooted in Christ’s saving message, or
do I permit worries and selfish desires to choke my spirit?
2. Christ
Is Coming: Advent and Christmas are all about Christ
coming to earth to give us hope. On that cold, quiet, star-filled winter’s
night in a little, poor cave in Bethlehem, God was born into our world. The
Almighty came into the world as a small, poor, innocent baby adored only by his
mother and father and some animals. Yes, this child is the reason for our hope,
infinite hope, because he is an infinite God making an infinite act of love for
us. To permit my soul to be filled with this quiet, gentle hope, what noise
within my heart first needs to be shut off?
3. A Heart
Checkup: Surprises can be pleasant, like an
unexpected birthday party or a successful close on a big business deal. But
they can also be unpleasant, like the pop quiz given at school or a sudden car
accident. Will Christmas take me by surprise this year? The good news is that I
know that he is coming: less than a month away. Christ tells us, “Beware that
your hearts do not become drowsy and thus allow that day to catch you by
surprise.” Advent is a time to wake up to Christ in our life. We need to
prepare our hearts for his coming on Christmas morning so that he can be
received by us with warmth and joy. Christ is the reason for the season!
Conversation
with Christ
Lord, help me during this Advent Season, which begins today, to see that
the priority in my life is preparing myself and those around me for a truly
“spiritual” Christmas. I know it is a busy time of year. Help me remain focused
on what is essential -- you being born into our hearts.
Resolution: I will begin some
form of daily Advent reminder for myself and those I live with so we can
prepare our hearts for Christmas: Advent wreath, Advent calendar, Jesse Tree
etc.