I honestly think that spiritual preparation is more important than material preparation during the weeks of Advent. I recommend getting an Advent wreath for your home and saying some prayers or singing an Advent hymn as you light each candle leading up to Christmas.
By Fr. Angelo Casimiro, MIC
Ever since I was a little boy, Christmas has been my most favorite time of year. I have many fond memories of Christmas as I was growing up.
I was born in the Philippines, but my family moved to the U.S. when I was 8 years old. We lived in Chicago, Illinois, and I remember experiencing my first white Christmas. It was very magical. My younger siblings and I had so much fun sledding at the nearby park. Our parents would take us to visit the department stores, and we would look at all the Christmas decorations, drop by the toy department, and visit Santa, of course.
Our family tradition was to go to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. It was beautiful to hear the choir singing Christmas hymns and to see the Infant Jesus laying in the manger with Mary and Joseph by His side.
After we came home from the Mass, we would have some Filipino food, and then start opening gifts. Then Christmas Day would be spent playing with all our new toys.
A Christmas Present
Going to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is a tradition that I continued well into my adulthood. After I was ordained to the priesthood, Christmas took on a deeper meaning for me. On Christmas Day in 2011, I celebrated my first Christmas Mass as a priest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It was one of the most joy-filled days of my life. As a priest, I placed the infant Jesus in the manger which was very special. I was going through so many emotions as I celebrated Mass, especially during the consecration of the Eucharist.
Later in the day, I went to visit my aunt in Round Lake Beach, Illinois. I was listening to the radio in the car which, of course, was playing Christmas music. Suddenly a Christmas song came on which I had never heard before. It was a choir of kids singing a song titled “Happy Birthday, Jesus!” At that moment, I felt like Jesus was piercing my heart, and I just started sobbing. Here I was, a grown man, sobbing at a bunch of kids singing “Happy Birthday, Jesus!” I felt like that first Christmas as a priest was Jesus’ gift to me.
Christmas Yet to Come
The Blessed Virgin Mary is the most prominent figure during the Advent season because she is the one who helps us to spiritually prepare our hearts to receive Jesus on Christmas. I honestly think that spiritual preparation is more important than material preparation during the weeks of Advent. I recommend getting an Advent wreath for your home and saying some prayers or singing an Advent hymn as you light each candle leading up to Christmas.
I suggest spending more time in prayer and reading Scripture, especially meditating on the Christmas story. Besides Sunday Mass, try to also attend Mass during the week. Go to Confession, especially during Advent. Like Lent, Advent is also considered a penitential season and so consider making some sacrifices that you can offer up to God.
Once Christmas arrives, I always kneel and pray in front of the Nativity scene in the church. I look at the Holy Family and then I gaze at the Infant Jesus. In my mind, I ask Mary to let me hold the Infant Jesus in my arms so I can love and adore Him. And these words come to mind: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).”
Merry Christmas!