Be Persistent
“Motivation is what gets you started, but persistence is the only thing that guarantees your success.” ~ Edmond Mbiaka
We began our Advent journey two weeks ago. Advent is a wondrous season of preparation for the celebration of Christmas. The tone of Advent is slightly penitential in nature. The season prepares us for the proper celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ as well as for the implications of what Christmas means.
As with everything in life, there were some mechanical things we needed to do in order to be prepared for Advent. One of the things used throughout the season is the Advent Wreath constructed out of three purple candles and one rose candle. Two purple candles were lit earlier. The rose candle was lit yesterday as we began the third week of Advent. Some of you may have constructed a Jesse Tree in your home.
As Christmas approaches, we often make lists of things to do for the holiday. We have presents to purchase, houses to clean, cookies to bake and the like. As we clean houses, we are reminded of the necessity to clean our “spiritual house” as well. Several priests will be available tomorrow evening, December 17, to hear your confession. Try to go to confession before Christmas. Make plans to do something to celebrate your faith as a family, whether it be by going to Mass together during the week, visiting the sick and shut-ins at nursing homes, visiting hospitals, et cetera.
It is easy to say that Christmas is coming. However, without some kind of goal, the excitement with which we entered the season will soon wane and we will find ourselves soon forgetting what the season is all about as we become distracted with the material preparations for Christmas. Advent is a spiritual season. It is not a day. Continue to pour yourself into your Advent journey.
FAITH ACTION: Do all that you can to keep your focus on the importance of our Advent preparation for Christmas.