When was the last time you were excited about an upcoming event or activity? Really, truly excited to the point of counting down the days? Think back to how you felt as the time passed, crossing off each day and planning for what was to come. Here's my story.
One year for Christmas I remember pining for the video game “Zelda” on the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). This game was going to bring me complete and utter happiness. NES games were always grey in color, but the Zelda was gold! This added to the excitement of getting my hands on this exclusive game.
On Christmas morning I awoke to find that gold Zelda game under our Christmas tree! I proceed to lock myself in my bedroom for several weeks, playing the game practically nonstop - only leaving for food, bathroom breaks. After only a few days I was able to complete the game in its entirety but continued to play the game over and over.
Well, after a week had passed, and then two weeks, the luster of the game faded. At the tender age of 10 I learned a valuable lesson about anticipation and its true purpose.
As a society, we aren’t very good at waiting. We are accustomed to instant gratification. When something takes time, we distract ourselves (typically by looking at our phones). We have lost the ability to be still in the longing and hope that comes with the season of anticipation. But there is so much beauty in the waiting. Advent is a time for us to prepare our hearts, minds, and souls for Jesus’s arrival. This can be a simple daily prayer, rosary, or reading. Anything that reminds us of how special this season is, that separates us from the typical daily grind.
For our family, we find comfort in the pattern of traditions each season. During Advent, we use a daily ornament to count down the days to the celebration of Jesus’s birth. In the days before Christmas, none of our many mangers have a Jesus figurine in them. Those are safely tucked away and then brought out after we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas morning.
Advent gives us time to prepare as a family, with the Holy Family, for the miracle to come. Often we find ourselves thinking about Mary and Joseph. From biblical readings we know their actions, but what were they thinking about in the days leading up to Jesus’s birth? Were they excited for the beauty of a new life? Were they nervous and scared about the many unknowns they would face? Were they at peace with the words God and the angels had provided and instead found themselves savoring the stillness and calm?
During this season let's receive the real gift. Let's not let our lives become like a shelf on a department store, filled up with finite promises and plastic dreams, only to be emptied and leave us pining for the newest buzz... something with fleeting satisfaction and purpose. It takes sacrifice and simplicity for us to find the true meaning in this time.
As we light the second candle on the Advent wreath this week, let us focus on “Peace.” There is peace to be found in the quiet anticipation. Take some time this week to discern your personal journey to Bethlehem. Appreciate the beauty of being still in the waiting. Our family wish you and yours a wonderful Advent season.
“In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3
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