“Even if things don’t unfold the way you expected, don’t be disheartened or give up. One who continues to advance will win in the end.” ~ Daisaku Ikeda
Advent has been going on for twelve days now. Can you believe that? Twelve days. For some people, it might seem as if Advent has just begun. However, for others, probably most others, it feels as if it’s been a month already.
Advent begins, typically, at the beginning of the month. At that time, Christmas is still a comfortable four weeks away. However, with the season, each day ramps up and the stresses and tensions of the season begin to chip away on people. With all the material demands of the season, it is easy to lose focus. When we lose focus, we become disheartened and consider giving up. We tell ourselves that “we gave it a good go, maybe next year will be better” and we quit doing whatever it was we chose to do for our spiritual preparation.
The Church knows that this part of the season can become tough. That is why this coming Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, shifts gears a bit and focuses upon joy so that the joy of the upcoming season will fill our hearts and help strengthen our resolve. This is not the time to become disheartened. This is not the time to give up.
Our reflections for the second week of Advent tend to be about peace. That same topic fits so well into the thought of this reflection. Why? Peace is something that we all work toward. Peace is something that we all desire. However, people often get tired of all work and no results. It seems as if we have been working for peace forever and yet we are nowhere near peace. You know what? That is an accurate perception. After all, we have been working for peace ever since the Prince of Peace was born. A couple thousand years later? We still have work to do.
God has been working for peace for generations before His Son was born. He, too, sees that a lot of work still needs to be done. God has never given up on His people. We should not give up on each other, either. Let us continue to advance through this Advent season and through the seasons of our lives so that we may celebrate our ultimate win in heaven with God.
FAITH ACTION: Are you flagging in some of your resolves for Advent? This is the time to strengthen and renew your resolve. Don’t give up.