Thoughts, Prayers & Art

“Are you ready for Christmas?”

It’s a question we hear all too often as the holiday season begins. Most of the time, it refers to shopping lists, travel plans, and party preparations. But beneath the busyness, there’s a quieter, deeper question begging to be asked: Is your heart ready?

Advent is an invitation to pause, breathe, and prepare—not for the perfect holiday, but for the arrival of Jesus, the Christ who comes to dwell among us. It’s a season of sacred waiting and holy expectation, and yet, if we’re honest, it can feel hard to slow down when the world around us speeds up.

As a priest, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the rush of this season. There are church services to plan, gifts to buy, and family traditions to uphold. But I’ve learned that when I carve out even a little time to truly prepare my heart, the joy and peace of Christmas take on a whole new depth. I invite you to join me this Advent in making space for something greater—something eternal.

1. Waiting with Intention

Advent teaches us that waiting is not passive; it’s active and expectant. Just as Mary awaited the birth of her son with a heart full of hope, we, too, are called to wait with open hearts. But waiting isn’t easy, especially in a culture that glorifies instant gratification.

Ask yourself: What am I waiting for this Advent? Where do I need hope to break into my life?

Pastoral Reflection:

For those of us carrying burdens—grief, disappointment, or even just the weight of the world—waiting can feel like a heavy task. But Advent reminds us that God is faithful in the waiting. Even when we cannot see it, God is at work, preparing something beautiful in our lives.

Practice: Dedicate 5–10 minutes a day to sit in silence. Light a candle and pray for patience, trusting that God’s promises will unfold in God’s time.

2. Living the Light of the Advent Wreath

The Advent wreath is more than a decoration; it’s a powerful symbol of the light that grows stronger as we move closer to Christmas. Each candle offers us a spiritual theme to reflect on: hope, peace, joy, and love.

Personal Connection:

I remember a particularly challenging Advent when life felt heavy with uncertainty. Lighting the candle of hope each week became my anchor. It was a small but profound reminder that even in darkness, God’s light was present, growing stronger with each passing day.

Practice: This Advent, light a candle each week and focus on the corresponding theme.

• Hope: Where do you need God to rekindle hope in your life?

• Peace: How can you cultivate inner peace and extend it to others?

• Joy: What small blessings bring you joy? Celebrate them intentionally.

• Love: How can you embody God’s unconditional love to those around you?

3. Making Room Amid the Chaos

The Advent story is full of people who made space for God. Mary said yes to carrying the Christ child. Joseph said yes to a plan he didn’t fully understand. Even the shepherds left their fields to witness the miracle of the manger.

Reflection:

But what about us? Do we have room in our lives for Jesus? Or are our hearts too cluttered with worry, distractions, or even guilt? Advent invites us to clear away the noise and make space for God to enter.

Practice: Write a list of the things that feel overwhelming this season—commitments, worries, or distractions. Offer them to God in prayer, asking for clarity on what truly matters. Simplify your schedule to allow time for reflection, worship, and quiet moments with loved ones.

4. Serving Others with Love

Advent is not just about preparing our own hearts; it’s about extending Christ’s love to the world. When we serve others, we embody the spirit of Emmanuel—God with us.

Personal Challenge:

Who in your life needs to feel the love of Christ this Advent? Perhaps it’s a friend who’s grieving, a neighbor who’s lonely, or a family member who feels distant. A small act of kindness—whether it’s a handwritten note, a phone call, or an unexpected visit—can be a powerful way to share God’s love.

Practice: Choose one act of service each week during Advent. Donate to a local food pantry, volunteer your time, or simply be present for someone who needs support.

5. Finding God in Scripture

Advent is rooted in the promises of scripture, from Isaiah’s prophecies of a coming Messiah to Mary’s Magnificat. These texts are not just historical—they are alive and speak to our own lives today.

Reflection:

Take Mary’s response to the angel: “Let it be with me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Her faith and willingness to embrace God’s plan are humbling. What might happen if we, too, said yes to God this Advent?

Practice: Choose an Advent scripture to reflect on each day. Write down what stands out to you and how God might be speaking to your heart. Some passages to consider:

• Isaiah 9:2–7: The promise of a light in the darkness.

• Luke 1:26–38: Mary’s response to God’s call.

• Matthew 1:18–25: Joseph’s trust in God’s plan.

6. Gratitude as Preparation

At its core, Advent is about gratitude—gratitude for God’s promises, for the gift of Jesus, and for the hope that sustains us. Even in difficult seasons, gratitude shifts our perspective and opens our hearts to joy.

Personal Reflection:

What are you grateful for this Advent? Take time to notice the small ways God is present in your life—a kind word, a moment of peace, or the beauty of creation.

Practice: Keep an Advent gratitude journal. Each day, write down one thing you’re thankful for and how it reflects God’s love.

A Prayerful Invitation

As we journey through Advent, I invite you to join me in a prayerful commitment to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Let this season be a time of hope, healing, and renewal.

May the light of the Advent candles guide you, the promises of scripture sustain you, and the love of Christ transform you. Together, let us wait with joyful expectation for the One who comes to dwell among us.

Let’s make room for Him this Advent—room in our homes, in our schedules, and most importantly, in our hearts.

How are you preparing your heart this Advent? I’d love to hear your reflections in the comments!

Advent Awaits

The world hums with restless noise,
a ceaseless rhythm of hurried steps,
lists written, undone, rewritten,
as hearts grow weary beneath the weight
of a season meant for stillness.

Yet, beneath the clamor,
there is a whisper,
soft as candlelight against the dark.
It calls: Prepare.

Prepare not your tables,
laden with feast and finery,
but your hearts,
those quiet rooms where shadows linger,
where hope is a fragile ember,
flickering against the chill.

In the east, the sky blushes,
a herald of what is to come—
a child,
a promise,
a light the darkness cannot overcome.

See how the trees stretch bare arms
to the heavens,
their silence a hymn of trust.
Even the earth waits,
its breath held in frost and stillness,
for the cry of new life.

Prepare, then, your heart’s door.
Clear away the clutter of worry,
the dust of doubt,
the cobwebs of fear.
Sweep the floor with grace,
light the hearth with prayer.

Make room for the One who comes—
not in thunder or glory,
but in the fragile breath of an infant,
the steady gaze of love incarnate.

And as the first star pierces the velvet night,
feel the spark within you,
igniting hope,
rekindling peace,
unfolding joy,
overflowing love.

This is Advent’s gift:
a waiting that transforms,
a quiet that sings,
a heart prepared to cradle
the infinite.

Will you listen to the whisper?
Will you light the candle?
Will you let Him in?