Reflection

Advent

Last Sunday was the start of Advent. It is a time of beginnings and endings. Just as the new liturgical year begins, the school year is about to wind down. It is a short 4 week season symbolised by the four advent candles. Each candle has a separate theme – hope, peace, joy and love.

Advent is a time of pausing. We pause at the end of each year to reflect on what is really important in our lives. This is not easy in the hustle and bustle of the commercial world with its emphasis on Christmas shopping. 

Advent is a time of waiting. We are called to ‘wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ’. We wait in hope for the birth of our Lord coming into the world. The pink/rose coloured candle (the Gaudate candle) is a symbol of that hope. Often, our prayers and thoughts can be with expectant mothers waiting for their children to be born. 

Advent is a time of preparing. The colour purple is a symbol of penitence and humility. We can prepare by being alert to the needs of others in the local, national and international community – especially the people of Ukraine.

Here are some things we could do during Advent:

Visit someone who is sick or lonely.

Seek out a forgotten friend.

Donate to a favourite charity.

Take more time to listen.

Apologise if we were wrong.

Welcome a stranger.

Help out more at home.

Go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Find more time to pray.

Mend a quarrel.

God the Father’s greatest gift to us is Jesus, a great sign of his love. May Jesus guide us as we strive to walk in that love this Advent. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, may we come closer to each other and to Jesus. May we have the grace and strength we need every day. 

Holy Family of Nazareth, be our inspiration and our guide.

Jesus of Nazareth, help us to grow in Faith, Wisdom and Knowledge.