Where Are You Headed This Advent – Rev. Fr. Godfrey

As the advent slowly rolls on by and starts to snowball into a season of celebrations, with all the beautiful bells of Christmas ringing, Christmas lights being put up in homes, offices and schools; Oh did I mention that our Christmas carol is just around the corner?

The question of where we are headed this Christmas and New Year isn’t a new one. Most of us already have laid down plans for the festive season with birthday parties, weddings and other celebrations making the top list in most of our schedules, it’s important we take time out to look at it from a spiritual perspective.

‘Where are we headed this advent? Do you find time to pray as a family, study the Word of God and socialize in a manner that appeases God and not men? ’ asked Rev. Fr. Godfrey Udeh, C. S. S. R.

In the gospel reading of Sunday 4^th December, the scriptures say:

‘For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “the voice of one crying in the wilderness:  Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. “’ [Matt 3: 3]

Are we all set to receive Jesus at the Nativity this Christmas?

Something very symbolic in advent is the lighting of candles. It is called the Advent wreath or Advent crown and it symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church.

The first week of Advent candle symbolizes hope; as the readings related to the old patriarchs who were Christ’s ancestors.

The second week of Advent candle symbolizes Bethlehem, the place of Christ’s birth, as the gospel reading relate to the prophecy of the birth of the long awaited Messiah.

‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I am, whose sandals I’m not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.’ [Matt 3: 11]

We are called to reevaluate our passions, reset our goals and remodel our priorities so they can conform with what this season is preaching – sharing of love, meditative quiet time with the Lord, a lot of charity, sharing the word of God, faith and trust in God.

As we wait patiently for the birth of Christ, may He who molded us into this beautiful piece of art work that we indeed admire, and are thankful for, may He create a heavenly atmosphere for us this Christmas so we can dine and wine with our loved ones in peace, and be able to reciprocate the love.

Amen!