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A different Advent: The love that God wants to give you is still intact Escrito por: Fr. Enrique Granados |
We know that Advent helps us prepare for Christmas . During it, hope in God is emphasized above all, manifested in the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel (God with us).
We remember how God keeps his promises and that gives us security. That is why those of us who believe in Christ try to prepare for four weeks to celebrate this great event of Christmas.
They say that there is no better time to practice forgiveness, to live hope and trust in God than a time where there are so many uncertain things.
A different Advent to nourish hope
The near future is unknown and no human being can predict what will happen next year. That is why for those of us who have faith, we are presented with a favorable opportunity to raise our gaze towards God:
«To you, Lord, I lift up my soul: My God, I trust in you; I will not be disappointed; May my enemies not triumph, for those who hope in you will not be disappointed” (Psalm 24:1-3).
I think that many of us in the time of the pandemic came closer to God. Perhaps we have wondered why so many things, so much pain and suffering. But what happens is that in the face of an uncertain panorama and where human words are exhausted, only the Word of God remains, which goes further .
Advent is the time of waiting par excellence , so I consider this a very good opportunity to get more out of it than other years. Perhaps because by not having the assurances we had before, now more than ever we experience that we are in the hands of God.
Salvation came from where it was least expected
A simple woman, a birth in a manger, an unknown town, a Virgin who conceives through the work of the Holy Spirit. Everything according to God’s plans, not men’s.
Perhaps God uses this time in which we live to tell us that we must allow ourselves to be surprised by Him, who is the only one capable of bringing good things out of evil. Remember that for Him nothing is impossible.
That is why this time can also help us to have that look of faith that Mary had. It is about not only expecting what man can do with his limited strength, but rather allowing ourselves to be surprised and amazed by God and his powerful action in our lives.
A time to stay with the essentials
How many times have we seen that during these holidays, many accidental things distract us from what is essential. So much so that Jesus is buried behind hundreds of gifts, events, dinners, meetings, snowmen, breakfasts, tambourines, etc. (things that are not bad in themselves).
But now perhaps reality leads us to stay with the essential. Instead of being sad or bitter about this, we should see it as an opportunity to turn all our attention to the manger.
To that place where Mary and Joseph introduce us to the Child God. To that corner that, because it is the most humble and simple, perhaps we no longer look, because we have been dazzled by the superfluous and pompous.
Time when perhaps many doors have been closed, as happened to the Holy Family, and only the door of a manger was opened for the birth of the Child Jesus.
Today, when perhaps some doors have closed in your life, look, contemplate and perhaps you can understand a little what that moment meant for these young couples who were looking for a worthy place for the Savior to be born.
May this Advent be an opportunity to grow in that faith and trust that Mary had in that moment of natural uncertainty!
Advent gives us a great opportunity
A special Advent and Christmas, to be experienced with the Holy Family . Where perhaps you will no longer be able to have many gifts, but the great gift that is Jesus will not be missing!
Where perhaps we will not be surrounded by everyone we love, but that could also help us raise a prayer for those who are so often alone. An opportunity perhaps to go out and offer something to those who are there outside your house and often celebrate Christmas without anyone.
Let us ask God to help us live this time that he gives us with greater faith, hope and joy than other years . Because Jesus comes in the same way as he has done on other Christmases, to bring us the peace and hope that no one else can give us.
I leave you a prayer that perhaps you can pray as a family :
«Almighty God, enliven in your faithful, at the beginning of Advent, the desire to go out to meet Christ, who comes, accompanied by good works, so that, one day placed at his right, they may deserve to possess the eternal kingdom. Amen» (Collect Prayer I Sunday of Advent).
