Confession. The best preparation for Christmas.

CONFESSION, THE BEST PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS

Lk. 3:10-18

Once again, the Church gives us John the Baptist to help us in our preparation for meeting Christ this Christmas.  Just as John helped the people of his day to prepare for Jesus’ coming, he is here with us to help us prepare for Jesus’ birthday.  John’s preaching was so effective that it made groups of people, like tax collectors and soldiers, ask for his help to prepare for the coming of the Messiah.  John is asking each one of us today, “What preparations are you making for the coming of Jesus this Christmas?”

The best way we can prepare for Christmas is to make a sincere Confession.  It means that we have to face up to the facts about our relationship with Him, with others and ourselves.  Otherwise we can go through life thinking everything is rosy and we are doing well.  In fact, in all our lives everything is not rosy and we are not doing as well as we can.  We need to keep a constant check on things.  Here are some guidelines in helping you to examine your conscience.

In our relationship with God we could ask ourselves how much quality time do we give to God, morning and evening?  We must give Him this if we say He is the most important Person in our lives.  Do we think of Him throughout the day?  When we do pray, how well do we pray?  Is it just words or do we really express our love?  Are there moments of silence in our prayers or do we do all the talking?  One thing we can be certain of is that what God has to say to us is far more important than what we have to say to Him.  This means that there must be moments of quiet, learning to rest in His love and waiting for Him to speak to us.  Remember the word ACTS, standing for adoration, contrition, thanksgiving and supplication.  We can adore Him, tell Him we are sorry for all our sins, thank Him for all He has given us and will keep giving us and finally, ask Him for the things we need.

In my daily prayers do I try to develop a personal relationship with each Person of the Blessed Trinity, Our Blessed Lady, our heavenly mother, our patron saint and our Guardian Angel?  How well do I attend Mass and could I go to an extra Mass in the week?  Do I read the Scriptures where God speaks to me?  Do I show love for Our Lady by reciting her Rosary, which she has asked us to do when she appeared at Lourdes and Fatima?  Do I remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory?  We could go on and on in examining our relationship with God.

What kind of person am I with others?  Am I selfish and thoughtless?  Do I make the world revolve around me?  Do I make life hard and unpleasant for anyone?  Am I a bully and unapproachable?  Am I sensitive to others feelings?  Am I helpful or am I mean with my time, my money and my talents?  Parents have to ask what kind of parents they are with their children.  Do they give them their precious time?  Children have to ask how much they love their parents.  If I am living with my parents and I am working do I contribute to the running costs of the home or do I sponge off my parents?  Employers and employees have to examine how fair they are.  Am I fair to those I employ and do I give good service for the wage I get paid?  Sometimes it is good to ask ourselves how others see us?  We can learn from how others view us.  Of course, the most important thing is how does God see us? 

Finally, let us take a look at ourselves.  Would God be pleased with the thoughts I have?  Am I proud, greedy, angry, envious, jealous, lazy, deceitful, chaste and a gossip?  Do I forgive others?  If I am not, how can I expect God to forgive me?

John the Baptist had the right idea.  He proclaimed the coming of Christ and announced the imminent appearance of God’s Kingdom.  He called the people to change their way of living.  That is still the message of today. 

Lord Jesus, Advent is a time for us to get our lives in order and prepare to greet You on Your birthday.  Let us do this by making a sincere Confession this Advent.

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