by Sister Paulette Hupfauf
For most of my life, Advent was the sign of winter and the
prelude to Christmas -- the birth of Jesus. I admit the
anticipation of Christmas gift-giving and receiving occupied some
of my time.
In today's reading Isaiah says, "Come, let us climb the Lord's
mountain to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us
in his ways, and we may walk in his paths ... let us walk in the
light of the Lord!"
Then Paul tells us: "You know the time: it is the hour now for you
to awake from sleep. For salvation is nearer now than when we first
believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand ... put on the
Lord Jesus Christ."
Finally in Matthew we hear, "For you do not know on which day your
Lord will come ... So, too, you also must be prepared."
Christ comes to us each day if we are willing to welcome him.
These readings are great reminders that our lives (each day) are a
constant Advent.
As I am getting nearer to the end of my life I think more about
heaven, not out of fear but out of great anticipation. My patron,
St. Paul says, "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard nor has it
entered the heart what God has in store for us."
Advent is a time of hope and anticipation! May this Advent be a time of special grace for each of us!
Great message. We do not know the time nor the place, but each passing day does bring us closer to the promise of eternal life. In Advent, we await that first coming of Christ and look forward to his second coming.
Great to see a smiling Sister Paulette. Warmed my heart and my day (which has been very trying).
Thank you, Paulette. I will remind myself that each day is an Advent.
Thank you Sister Paulette for a something to ponder, Advent message.
Thank you, my dear Aunt, for your reflection. As I finish clearing the dust from our family filled Thanksgiving, I Iook forward to retrieving my years-worn Advent devotional from the bookshelf tonight--to spend some cherished time each Advent evening waiting with hope and anticipation. A blessed Advent to you.