My Soul in Stillness Waits: Striving for Peace in the Midst of the Season

“For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits. Truly, my hope is in you.” These are the lyrics to one of my favorite Advent songs. It always inspires my heart and brings to mind the chilly stillness of a winter’s night in Bethlehem when the culmination of salvation history was brought forth in a tiny baby born of a virgin mother. It is a calming and peaceful song, and I find myself humming it frequently throughout this holy season.

Why is it, then, that when I step outside those church doors, my life feels anything but peaceful and still?  There are cards to mail, cookies to bake, presents to wrap, and trees to trim. This week is one party; next week is another. We have school Christmas programs, Secret Santa exchanges, and pitch-ins to attend.  And let’s not forget all the normal routines that cannot be neglected despite the festivities.  Trust me, folding multiple loads of laundry does not get any merrier during the holidays.

It is very easy in today’s chaotic world to lose sight of the stillness of this time of Advent. It is challenging to preserve the significance of this season of preparation in the midst of society’s premature (albeit jovial) celebrations. But, as Catholic Christians, we are called to a life that is filled with challenges, and keeping the season of Advent holy is certainly one of them.

“When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #524).  The Church sets forth a very noble goal in observing Advent as a period of waiting, and in renewing our desire to see Christ come again, we increase our faith in its entirety.  Not to mention that, at four weeks total, we have a far shorter time of waiting than did our Hebrew ancestors!

As Catholic Christian parents, our next challenge comes in ensuring our children understand the significance of the season. This teaching is fulfilled differently from household to household, with some choosing to completely abstain from decorations beyond a simple Advent wreath to others who wait to place baby Jesus in the manger of the Nativity set until the night of Christmas Eve. Our children’s school is diligent about reminding the students of the purpose of Advent and leading them in activities that will increase their faith and prepare their hearts for the great Feast of Christmas. No matter how it is accomplished, however, the end result will hopefully be the same: faithful children who have been taught to prepare their hearts “in stillness” for the coming of the King.

As we deck the halls and jingle the bells this season, may we keep our hearts truly focused on the joy ahead.  May we use this time to repent and be at peace in the Lord’s presence. May we lead our children ever closer to a true understanding of the deep significance of this Advent season.  May the stillness of our souls today be in stark contrast to our hopeful joy on Christmas Day when we cry out, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).  To you and yours from me and mine, a peaceful Advent, merry Christmas, and blessed New Year!