Much of Advent involves the concept of waiting, which can be quite challenging for those of us living on instant coffee and rapid-fire texting. During Advent, we can dedicate ourselves to being more patient with ourselves and other people.
By Maria V. Gallagher
My first memory of the holy season of Advent (which begins on Nov. 30) is vivid, heart-warming, and hope-filled. It occurred when I was an intrepid first-grader, eager to impress my teacher, Sr. Marcia.
In her direct and down-to-earth way, she explained to us the concept of Advent as a time of preparation for Jesus’ birth. Up to that time, I really had not thought much about the days leading up to Christmas, other than thinking it was a unique kind of challenge, waiting days upon days to open my gifts.
Sister Marcia wanted us to be spiritually prepared. So she encouraged us to find a shoebox at home and fill it with little slips of paper, explaining the good deeds we had done in preparation for Christ’s coming.
That shoebox represented weeks of little kindnesses made in the name of the love of Jesus. It was powerful to present that shoebox to Jesus on Christmas. I felt as if I was offering Him my very heart.
Becoming Our Lady’s children
Later, I learned that one of the best ways to observe Advent was to imitate Our Lady, a true champion of the season. What better way to mark the coming of Christ than by contemplating how Mary prepared for the arrival of her Son — especially in this final month of the Jubilee Year of Hope?
In Luke 1, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary to proclaim her the Mother of the Christ. Gabriel assures Mary the Lord is with her; yet, she is troubled by the angel’s greeting. This is completely understandable in the context of Mary’s life — a virgin, she had had no relations with a man, and therefore the thought of pregnancy seemed completely out of the realm of possibility.
Gabriel explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her to make the miracle happen. The angel further explains that nothing is impossible for God.
In Luke 1:38, Mary responds with a generosity we can emulate during Advent: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Practical steps
Emulating the obedience of Our Lady, here are three ways we can live out the Advent season like Our Blessed Mother:
- Practice patience in waiting. Much of Advent involves the concept of waiting, which can be quite challenging for those of us living on instant coffee and rapid-fire texting. During Advent, we can dedicate ourselves to being more patient with ourselves and other people. Whether it’s allowing a car to pull in front of us in the drive-thru lane or permitting someone to go ahead of us in the grocery line, practicing patience will help us to become more like Our Lady and, in turn, her Son.
- Perform works of mercy with a generous heart. Mary notably went in haste to Elizabeth, her cousin, to assist her during her own pregnancy. This was a tremendously selfless act of mercy for her beloved kin. We can make our Advent memorable by collecting canned goods for our neighbors; babysitting for an overwhelmed mother; or purchasing diapers for a local pregnancy resource center. These concrete signs of love help to connect us with Our Lady, who demonstrated mercy in action.
- Open our hearts to deeper prayer. Mary was a woman of profound prayer, communicating with her Lord on a continual basis. Meditating on the psalms can be a powerful way to connect with God in an intimate way. We do not simply read these passages of the Bible — we savor them, seeing in them the endless love which the Father holds for us.
It can be all too easy to waste the precious days of Advent, especially in a world that seems to want to start celebrating Christmas on Nov. 1 or earlier. But, by savoring each day of Advent as Our Lady would, we will grow spiritually richer and better able to take on the challenges of waiting in our own lives.
Blessed Advent!
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