Merry Advent!!

So I've been thinking how I want to prepare myself during Advent. And this morning, I decided that I was going to have an Advent calendar. That was going to be the extent of it. Yup. Kinda embarrassing to have such hopes and to settle for a chocolate calendar.

I went to many stores today to find the perfect Advent calendar, and I couldn't find one. I was initially triggered because all of the calendars were milk chocolate. I was really hoping for dark chocolate. I was willing to settle on a milk chocolate calendar, until I picked it up and realized there was no weight to it. Really? You are telling me there are 24 chocolates in here? No. So I continued to look. And then as I really looked at the calendars, they all said 'Christmas Countdown.' None of them actually said 'Advent Calendar' and that was the final trigger to turn me off of the idea. So I bought a bag of Twizzlers instead and set aside 24 to eat each day of Advent...and I don't even like Twizzlers that much.

That still didn't satisfy me to be the extent of my Advent festivities. The definition of Advent is -- a season of devout and joyful preparation for the coming of Jesus. I sat and looked at my bag of Twizzlers and wondered 'is this really preparing me for Christmas?'

Advent is an annual opportunity to grow in the grace of waiting. But it isn't a passive waiting where we distract ourselves to speed up the process. It is an active waiting where we are constantly trying to prepare ourselves. During this season, there is no set of rules in the faith that tells us how we should prepare for Christmas. For some, preparation might mean listening to Christmas music, for others, it might mean not listening to Christmas music. However a person prepares, they should remember 'why' they are doing it. A person should do whatever helps them prepare for Christmas the best. That is what Advent is all about.

Now Advent is twofold because, as I said before, it is 'a season of devout and joyful preparation for the coming of Jesus.' Well, Christ has a First Coming and a Second Coming. In regards to Christas, the First Coming is kinda obvious. That is what most Christians expect from Christmas -- Jesus being born in the manger. But it is so much more than that! Advent is also a preparation for Christ's Second Coming. Now, we have no idea when this will happen. And this Second Coming is relevant to everyone whether it be Christ coming at the end of time, or it is the time that we go to Jesus at the end of our lives. And there is 100% chance that we will die, so we will all personally encounter this Second Coming.

So how do we prepare for that Second Coming? First, ask yourself 'How can I prepare to die during this season of Advent?' I know that it might sound morbid, but it is actually so beautiful.

Maybe that means calling the people that you have hurt and ask for forgiveness. Maybe that means intentionally telling your loved ones, 'I love you'. Maybe that means going to repent for your sins. Maybe that means entering deeper into prayer. Now this, this will really prepare you for the coming of Christ.

When we enter into Advent, we need to keep in mind that we are preparing for Christ's First and Second Coming. And both ends should be satisfied. Now consider this, if Jesus showed up in your life, would there be any room for him? If we are too busy with Christmas festivities, parties, decorations, music, cookies, and Hallmark movies, then we can forget to pray. It isn't bad to have these things, in fact, it is good to prepare for his First Coming! But if there is party after party, then are you prepared internally to have Jesus come into your world or to enter into His? There is a beautiful balance, but regardless, we must remember that this season is joyful, so we must maintain joy in our disposition.

I am still trying to figure out what this looks like for me. I could be going to Ireland tomorrow if I get my visa accepted, or I could be in the states until New Year. So, since I have already been living one day at a time, not knowing what tomorrow looks like, I am going to wake up and do my best to prepare me for Christ's coming that day. Today, that meant active listening in Mass, watching cheesy Christmas romance movies, making ginger molasses cookies, and meditating through my 'Magnificat Advent Companion' book. Tomorrow is a whole other day.

That is just my two cents :) Most of what I have written is based on Fr. Mike Schmitz YouTube videos, so if I don't make sense, then go check out what he has to say about Advent.