My apologies for the delay in publishing my weekly note, last week, about Advent week two. 

The reason for Advent is the preparing for the coming of Jesus, our Savior.  The first week of Advent we talked about Hope, hoping for the coming of our Savior.  Week two of Advent we focus on Peace.  The calmness of peace, the smooth flow of peace, the understanding of peace is something, I believe, we all strive for.  When we are at peace, everything seems to fall right into place.  Peace, freedom from disturbance, quiet, tranquil, doesn’t that sound terrific?

Everyone can think of a person that always seems to be at peace.  They are quiet, tranquil, they do not let things get to them.  They never seem to let things bother them.  I often see peace in the elderly and children.  Both seem to just go with the flow, and they do not let things bother them.  I wonder, how do they get their?  It is certainly not “life experiences” for children do not have a lot of life experience yet.  It is not because they are young, for that takes the elderly out.  So what can we do to achieve peace?

I heard a video blog, not to long ago, and the topic was the Advent season.  In this blog it talked about not just meeting Jesus, but getting to know Him.  It ended with the question, “How do we encounter Jesus?”  This got me to thinking.  Where have I seen Jesus this week?  Did I see Him and walk right past?  Did I miss the opportunity to see Him, because I was not at peace? 

Thinking back over the last week or so, I know that Jesus was in our midst.  Jesus was with us as we took our students on field trips.  The 8^th grade took their Kindergarten buddies to the North Pole at Sullivans.  Seeing the older students spending time with their Kindergarten buddies, getting to know them, helping them with crafts, caring for them as they rode the train back and forth from the North Pole, were just a few examples of our 8^th graders helping our Kindergarteners, making the trip peaceful for the young children.  The 5^th graders spent some time caroling at the senior centers and nursing homes, bringing the joy of the Christmas season to those who might not be able to get out and experience it themselves.  They were serving others with a servant’s heart, bringing the joy and peace to others. 

How do you encounter Jesus, in your daily life?  Do you see Him?  Do you not recognize Him, when he walks by?  Do you serve Him by bringing Joy and Peace to others?  This second week of Advent, look for ways to bring joy and peace to others.  Welcome Jesus into all that you do and you might just be surprised how a stressful task can become peaceful. 

Have a peaceful week two of Advent.

Hope and Advent

 

 

This Sunday we started Advent, the four weeks before Christmas in which we prepare for the coming of the birth of our Savior.  The word Advent comes from the Latin word meaning “coming.”  What do the next few weeks, between now and Christmas, look like for your family?

At Mass this weekend, we lit the first candle on the Advent wreath.  This candle represents Hope, the hope of the coming of our Lord, the expectations of the Savior coming to Earth to save us from our sins.  What do you hope for, this Advent and Christmas season?

I imagine many of us are in the process of planning family Holiday get-togethers, shopping for the family Christmas gifts, planning the family dinners, decorating the house in with festive Christmas décor.  We are making our lists and checking them twice, wondering how we are going to get things done, hoping to have the perfect gift idea and the time to get it purchased and wrapped. 

Advent is a time to wait, a time to prepare the way of our Savior.  In the busyness of this Christmas season, take some time to prepare for the birth of Christ.  Spend some time as a family praying together.  When I was a child, before our family meal, we lit the appropriate candles on the Advent wreath.  We would then enjoy our meal together, without outside distractions, no television, no homework, no phone calls.  We would let the candle burn for one hour, and would not leave the table until that hour was complete.  It was a time of prayer, family discussions, and a meal.  It was the time in our day to invite God to join our family.  Week one of Advent is about Hope.  Maybe your first meal this week could focus on Hope for our families, our Church, and our World.

Wishing you all a great week one of Advent!!