“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight” (Mark 1:3)

Advent could be likened to a time of spiritual ‘spring cleaning’. Like our homes, where it is easy to leave things lying around, similarly, it can be easy to get stuck in bad habits and obsessions. We can feel ‘in the dark’. To fully embrace the joy of God with us at Christmas, we need to be truly open to the people in our lives. We need to ‘take stock’ of ourselves and work on those parts of ourselves that hold us back from the full life to which the Christian is called.

It is easy to make the mistake that Christmas is about what you get. In fact the happiness of Christmas lies in what you give. Our young people know about the preparations for Christmas – trees, decorations, cooking. Advent allows us to prepare for God with us. By the inner work of reflection and prayer, we can encourage young people to be most ready to be in relationship with others. Their happiness lies in what they give – primarily of themselves. ‘For it is in giving that we receive…’

Have a great week!
Patrick