A time of slowing down, introspection and preparation.
Does that sound like your perspective on the Advent season? Or, are we more likely to get wrapped up in the preparation of buying gifts, decorating the house, attending Christmas parties, baking cookies and driving ourselves into the frenzy so common in our consumer-based society?
It is a question posed by Father Bob Werth during his homily this past Sunday, and I can’t stop thinking about it.
I have to admit that I have often felt that frenzy in my own life in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I have never gotten up at the crack of dawn for Black Friday shopping, I’m proud to say, although my teenager daughter has done so. I did stand in line at 5 a.m. on a freezing cold day, though, at Toys ‘R’ Us to get the Wii gaming station for my children when they were younger, because everyone just had to have one.
But as they have gotten older, I have gotten maybe a tiny bit wiser. I try to appreciate the moments I have with my kids in between work, school and all our other activities. I know they will be off to college in the blink of an eye and I can’t buy back time.
I still need to make more time to do that internal preparation for Christmas through prayer and slowing down to appreciate all that God has blessed me with in my life.
I don’t really need any presents. I have a family, who despite all the normal trials and tribulations, is one of love for each other. Is there anything more precious in this life than that?
The Holy Family on Christmas Day shows us all that no, there really isn’t.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
