SPIRITUAL SILENCE IS GOLDEN: ADVENT REFLECTION

By now, everyone’s schedule for the rest of the year is booked. As we approach Christmas, the schedule can look anything like parties, shopping for gifts, school recitals, pageants, and everything that centers around the celebration of the holiday. It is noisy and busy. 

However, there is one thing that we all need, and that is to slow down and understand what we are preparing for during our Advent journey. The key is silence. Yes, silence can be a challenge for all of us. Simon and Garfunkel had a hit song that came before Mrs. Robinson called "The Sound of Silence". It is fitting that we tend to think of this sound the moment we need to slow down. 

Retreatants always look forward to that one weekend a month or year (depending on when they can find it or how frequently they attend), where attendees step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life to use the moment to reconnect with God.

Like retreats, we too need to take that important step back in all the busy preparations for Christmas. I have struggled to do that many times. It is a challenge, but I am willing to take up this spiritual gauntlet. The key to understanding what Advent is preparing us for can be found in the creche.

How Do We Prepare?

No matter what liturgical year Advent falls on, we will hear St. John the Baptist urging the people in the desert to “prepare the way of the king”.  He also reminds us to have our works “bear fruit”.

Some ways we can put the plea from this desert preacher into action is to do works of mercy, pray before the Blessed Sacrament, give alms, and pray more.

Jesus is the reason for the season. While we may prepare for Christmas celebrations, let us not forget or even lose focus on the true meaning… Jesus.

As the Christmas Carol Joy to the World proudly proclaims, “Let every heart prepare him room”. We too must prepare room for him in our own hearts now.