Where Do You Find Quiet Amidst the Noise of the Season?

 December 3, 2016

Advent – Season of Hope

They were relieved to finally sit down after the day of Christmas shopping.  The church was quiet as worshipers slipped into pews.  It was a quiet oasis after fighting crowds and listening to Christmas “musak” all day.  The plaintive strains of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” began, the first candle on the Advent wreath was lit, the candle of hope, the only adornment in bare church.  Purple cloths covered the altar.  What a welcome contrast.  It somehow felt right.

While the world was already celebrating the birth of Jesus, they were still waiting and preparing.  The children were home with their aunt, who would take all their newly bought treasures and hide them at her home lest her nieces or nephew discover them ahead of time and ruin the surprise Christmas morning.

Afterwards they wondered together, in a world that couldn’t wait, will they be able to preserve a little Advent in their own life.  Will they be able to resist the pressures from society and their children to rush the season, start the celebration early, put up the tree, get out the carols.  Will they be able to let Advent be Advent?

With God’s help . . .

In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea (and) saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”    Matthew 2:1-2

This is part of a series of reflections on the Church year. To receive daily posts in through email, click the box below.