By Katie Robey
As we approach the holiday season, we often find ourselves surrounded by the busyness of family gatherings, purchasing gifts, school and parish events, and preparations before the excitement of the holidays. In the midst of it all, we might feel ourselves becoming overwhelmed and distracted, wondering if everything is ready and everything has been checked off our to-do list.
Through it all though, we might consider pausing to ask ourselves: Is my heart and mind directed towards the true meaning of the Advent season?
Advent invites us to direct our hearts and minds towards Christ’s birth and the mystery of our salvation through his Incarnation. As we set our attention on this holy season, we can take special care to devote ourselves to intentional and meaningful preparation through prayer and the rich Advent traditions of the Church. Traditions such as the Advent wreath, setting up a Nativity scene, or creating a Jesse Tree are beautiful ways we can prayerfully reflect on what we are preparing for and to move our direction and focus from what the world tells us the holiday season should be back to what the Advent season means for us as Christians.
As we begin this time of preparation, may we remember that through the season of Advent, we are called to pause, to reflect, and to still our hearts as we await the joyful celebration of Christmas and the Nativity of our Lord.