Advent: What Happens after the Birthday Crumbs have been Swept Away?

By Benedictine Oblate Sharon McNamara

What is our purpose in observing the pre-season of Advent?

From the outside, it would appear to be a weak effort to “spiritualize” the preparations for the annual remembrance of the birth of Christ.

But is that what we are preparing to celebrate? The day of the Son’s physical birth?

A week after the celebration, is there any evidence that there has been a party?

Are we any more mindful of Jesus’s presence throughout the day? Any more grateful? Any more faithful?

Is it His birth that is so essential to our growth in Him, or is it His life that is the reason for the season?

After the birthday cake crumbs are swept away, is our sight improved, do we provide for the widows & orphans, welcome the strangers, forgive the “unforgivable,” love our enemies, open-heartedly ask what it is He wants us to do?

He came to show us the Way. Maybe in our preparations to celebrate His earthly life, we would do well to concentrate on the ways He showed us to live in Him.