We are now in the season of Advent. It is a season of expectation, a season of longing, and a season of reflecting. My question is what are you expecting this Advent?
We live in a world that teaches us to expect all kinds of things: perfect relationships, financial success, power, authority, and above all to blaze our own path and always have it our own way. We are encouraged to be the master of our fate, the captain of our soul.
How does this line up with the expectation presented to us in Holy Scripture and presented to us during the season of Advent? The four weeks of Advent focus our attention on four themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. How are these to be attained?
Advent prepares us for the truth that these themes, these longings of the human heart, will never be fulfilled in our lives by chasing the expectations and promises of our culture, but by coming into a relationship with the one who is our hope, who brings true peace, who is the only source of lasting joy, and is the very source of love.
This Advent season open your heart, as never before, to the one who gave his all for you. That you may have hope, experience peace, know true joy, and experience real love. Jesus Christ our Lord.