Advent: Time Stands Still & Soul Meets Creator

By Sister Jackie Walsh, OSB

My mom died during Advent, right before Christmas in 2015. The whole experience of her life and death has become an Advent experience for me.

I watched my mom as she dealt with her disease. She fought it valiantly but never complained. She loved Christmas and the preparations for it.

I went to see her just days before she died. She knew she was dying, but she was all smiles. She had a good strong faith so she knew that this Christmas would be a literal birth for her. She was being born into eternal life.

Today, when I look deep inside myself, I realize there are no instant revelations. Our lives are a slow journey as God reveals things to us.

Advent is a time of intentional quiet, which can be hard in the chaos of the season’s busyness.

But in quiet, time stands still and soul meets Creator.

Advent will take us on a tremendous journey if we allow ourselves to slow down and pay attention to the signs that are given.