Last Sunday we began the Church New Year. There are four weeks of Advent, a time of expectation and repentance, in preparation for Christmas. Jesus is the Lord of all history and as God He holds everything in existence. We don’t read about this in the school text books or history books, but it is a fact.

All that was made, was made through the Word, and the Word became flesh. So, in the fullness of time, God miraculously fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies, like the one in the first reading today from Jeremiah. There would be a virtuous Branch grow for David, this would be the tribe of Judah, from which the Saviour would come.

The second reading and Gospel point to the future where there will be great upheaval in the world, tribulation and persecution of believers, before the return of Jesus. With the return of the Lord, the devil will be cast into Hell and the history of sin and salvation will come to an end. The whole world will be renewed and there will be a new earthly paradise, like the one before the Fall of our First Parents. 

Advent is a time of watchfulness, of preparation for Christmas and also for the Second Coming. In Bethlehem no one expected the Saviour of the world to be born at that time and no one was ready. In fact, all doors were shut on Mary and Joseph as they sought shelter. People were spiritually asleep as the majority are in our days. Many forget what is fundamental to their existence, what life on earth is all about. They forget that we are made to know, love and serve God and to be with Him forever in Heaven. Advent is a time to examine our consciences and to remember that our number one enemy in this life is sin. There are three areas where we often fall down. They are:

1. Lust of the flesh. That is, a great love for pleasure and comfort. Many never think about fasting and mortification of the senses to gain dominion over the passions.

2, Lust of the eyes. This is a deep-seated greed. The eyes of the soul are dulled and even reason thinks itself to be self-sufficient.  This kind of person is full of self-love and they turn their backs on God and focus on superfluous things.

3. Pride of life. There is vanity and an all-embracing presumption. The person thinks: God doesn’t care. There is a loss of the sense of sin. This is the root of deviation.

Let’s be vigilant in preparing for Christmas by praying the Holy Rosary every day, by going to Confession, the sacrament of Divine Mercy and by doing Adoration where possible and spiritual reading. Especially, try and be more loving towards everyone. I remember a work colleague saying many years ago, when the office was all decorated for Christmas and there was a spirit of giving: I wish it was Christmas all the year around.

This reminds me of a story. Many years ago, a lady who lived in a small town, similar to Bindoon, had a corner store. In those times the corner store would sell not only newspapers, but fruit and vegetables, sweets and other food items necessary to the daily requirements of families. One year she fell very sick and spent the whole Christmas period confined to bed. This lady felt gloomy in having missed Christmas Midnight Mass and other celebrations. But when she re-opened her store two days after Christmas, she had an idea: Why not make today, my lost Christmas? So, she carried out her plan by putting the spirit of Christmas into the whole day. She smiled more frequently and greeted customers more warmly than usual. She tried to be extra accommodating and friendly with customers who were low on cash. After closing the store for the day, she took small presents to several home-bound neighbours and also visited some poor families and gave sweets to the children.  By the time she came home, she was so full of joy and the spirit of Christmas that she had never felt happier in her whole life. She decided from then on, to keep the spirit of Christmas as long as she possibly could.

How different our Advent would be for ourselves and for those around us, if with the help of God’s grace, we were to spend these four weeks actively ushering in the spirit of Christmas instead of passively waiting for it to arrive. Let’s forget our ourselves and think more of the needs of others, be more giving with our time and talents, serve our parish and others joyfully.  We should also contemplate Our Heavenly Mother who is soon to give birth to the Saviour of the world. How focused she would have been on the One she was carrying in her womb. How humble, prayerful and joyous Mary and Joseph were as they prepared for the long-awaited Savour to the born. For centuries the Jewish people prayed and longed for the promised Messiah. Let’s remember to pray the Angelus during this Season and meditate on the Incarnation. Be watchful in prayer, such as Eucharistic Adoration available 24/7 in the Divine Mercy Shrine, here in Chittering. Think about doing a Holy Hour each week, do what Our Lady asks and pray her prayer:  the Holy Rosary, come to weekday Mass and remember to get a spiritual carwash by going to Confession before Christmas. Then, really make an effort to forget yourself, allow Jesus to act through you and serve God in your neighbour. Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever.