Deck Your Souls
“I love Christmas, not just because of the presents but because of all the decorations and lights and the warmth of the season.” ~ Ashley Tisdale
I will admit quite freely that most things I do are very intentional. Oh, occasionally I will do something quite impromptu; however, most things in my life are deliberate. This morning, for example, when I opened the office and chapel, I went to the sacristy closet, dragged out the box with the office Christmas tree, and put the tree up in our office foyer. On Thanksgiving afternoon, I will put the house tree up in our picture window.
Why? Well, the day after Thanksgiving the Knights of Columbus begin their Christmas tree sale and I always think it helps people get in the mood (and, perhaps, prompt a purchase) if they see a decorated and lit tree in the house and office windows. It reminds them of the season and, hopefully, fills them with a bit of expectant joy.
Most of us will be decorating in the next couple of weeks. The trees come out, the houses get trimmed, colorful lights are brightly displayed, and the weeks beckon “Christmas!” That is a good thing because it reminds us of our expectant wait for the coming of the Light of the World, Jesus.
In order to feel the mood of the season, we deck our houses with displays. We should do the same with our souls. The spiritual equivalent of bright lights, erected trees, Nativity scenes, and the like are corporal and spiritual works of mercy, extended prayer time, attendance at Masses and other religious experiences, and going to confession. These are the ways that we deck our souls for the season.
Advent and Christmas are creeping up on us quite quickly. This might be a time to access the state of our souls and think about what we need to do in order to be ready spiritually to celebrate the coming of Christ.
FAITH ACTION: Clean out your spiritual closet, bring out the “decorations” that are necessary to adorn your soul with light and love in the upcoming season of Advent.