REFLECTION FOR ADVENT

              In her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, St. The're`se of Lisieux writes that Christ was most often present to her not" during my hours of prayer...but rather  in the midst of my daily occupations."
              The time leading up to Christmas, though, is not a good time to talk about thing ordinary. Life seems anythings but. What gifts to buy, parties to attend, homes to decorate, travel plans to finalize, meals to cook. Who actually has time to stop and reflect about the presence of God in their daily midst?
              Yet, Advent's invitation concerns just that. In the culture which sings" You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I am telling you why..." The Church offer us another tune: " Prepare ye the way of the Lord."
              Advent is here to allow us time to focus on who's really coming. In Advent, the Church has traditionally  offered  the followers of Jesus, those who follow in the footpath of the Magi of old, Three comings to think about: Christ's incarnation 2,000 years ago, Christ's continued presence in our midst to this day, and Christ's anticipated glorious return in the future.
              In this Advent, let us focus on Christ's presence in our ordinary lives. For if we miss Christ in our daily lives surely the utter ordinariness of a child born in a feed box( a manger) will pass us by as well. The reflections that follow offer an antidote to the cultural pull of busy- ness and commercialism and invite us to see something new. Where we often discover God , and where God most often discover us - is in the midst of ordinary, everyday lives.
              In this Advent, we will resolve to make peace with something or someone from my past- giving ourselves a chance to forgive, to forget, to heal, to gow, to love. Also, at home or at work, we will try to take time to make- not to buy- a gift for other.
              Dear God, may we take time each day to prepare for your coming , so that we will discover the true meaning of Christmas. Amen

           LIVE JESUS IN OUR HEARTS- FOREVER.

Thomas Tho, fsc.