My Dear Friends:
The other night I walked into Comber Hall to visit our school alumni and school children who are putting on a production of “The Sound of Music” in February. As they were rehearsing, they sang “My Favorite Things.” That song often comes up in Christmas albums. Our young people did a magnificent job singing the tune (I highly, highly recommend taking in this show in February, but I digress).
In keeping with the column that I wrote last month for Thanksgiving about counting our blessings, Advent and Christmas are seasons in which we surround ourselves with our favorite things. Although, all too often we get bogged down with the superfluous and the mundane this season instead on focusing on the eternal. The complaint I hear most during the month of December is: “Father, I feel overwhelmed! There’s too much going on!” Well, that’s true. Too many parties, commitments, Christmas cards to be written, gifts to be bought and exchanged, and much like “Las Posadas” that begin this week, we don’t have any room in the inn for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
One of your fellow parishioners told me last week that they started their Advent with a good confession and have kept the Carmelites daily Advent mediations close by and a daily devotional that is now filled with notes and highlights. This parishioner truly has cherished this Advent and kept the spirit of “My Favorite Things.” When you eliminate the superfluous, you can start enjoying the joy of this blessed season.
And joy is what this Sunday is all about. Today we light the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath and the priests and deacons wear the rose vestments to proclaim the joy the Church is feeling as Christmas rapidly approaches. The nearness of this holy day should not fill us with dread because there are not enough days left but should fill us with joy. Gaudete Sunday should be a reminder to all of us that if we are feeling overwhelmed right now as you read this, then it’s time we do a fast “reset” of Advent to eliminate the obstacles that are hindering us from properly preparing for the coming of the Messiah. That’s what our focus should be on. Of course, parents want to give their kids a nice Christmas morning, and the endless parade of parties are fun, but not at the expense of our sanity to say nothing of our souls.
So, ten days left. This is the week we get Advent right and start focusing on what should be our favorite things starting with the Christ child who needs room (posada) in our hearts. On Monday, Father David will offer an Advent Night of Reflection (Wednesday in Spanish). And on Wednesday night, we offer our customary Advent Night of Reconciliation with individual confessions. Come on Wednesday. Do a good examination of conscience and make a good confession this Advent. Keep reading the Carmelite Sisters’ Advent book of daily meditations. Come to a daily Mass perhaps. Don’t have time? Wake up early and come at 6:15am. You’ll meet 50-75 new friends who come every day. There’s always time for our favorite things, and if our faith isn’t at the top of that list, then this is the week that we set things right!
Don’t delay! The light from the Advent wreath is getting brighter. The Advent calendar is getting shorter. It’s time to right the ship and make room for the joy and light of Christ this Christmas.
God Bless You All!
