The season of Advent is all about time: the past, the present, and the future.

Advent proclaims: Jesus came! Yes, he came over 2,000 years ago, born of a young Jewish woman named Mary in the small town of Bethehem. For about 33 years or so, he walked the dusty roads of Galilee in sandaled feet, living and healing and teaching a message of love, service, forgiveness, and trust in God.

Advent announces: Jesus comes! Not only did he come into the world of first-century Palestine, he comes into our world right here, right now! He walks among us still. How? Here are just a few ways: in the scripture that is proclaimed at every Mass and that we ponder throughout our lives… in the believing community gathered together in prayer and service of one another… in the Eucharistic Bread we receive at every Mass. Other ways where Jesus is present include: in the poor and needy in our midst… in the loving relationships we form with each other… in the service we give to one another… in the beauty, mystery, and power of creation… in the tears and laughter we share with one another.

Advent also promises: Jesus will come again! This man from Galilee, this Emmanuel, will return in the fulness of time, drawling all things unto himself. And before that ultimate return, Jesus will come for each one of us as we transition from this earthly life, through death, and into heavenly glory.

These three comings of Jesus can give us a framework for our prayer this Advent. First, let us take time to reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation, that is, the mystery of God himself becoming a human being. We might ask ourselves, Why did God become a human being? Ultimately, the answer is love. As we read in John 3:16: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Som, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” But as we look around at the world today, we still see so much pain, sorrow, violence, hatred, injustice, and cruelty. The Incarnation did not take away the ugliness of sin in our world. Rather the Incarnation gives us the power to burrow deeply into our world and find the love and beauty and goodness present there. More importantly, the Incarnation gives us the strength, courage, and hope to add our own little bit of love, goodness, and beauty each day.

Second, let us reflect on the ways Jesus comes into our lives. We find Jesus primarily in the people we relate to–those we are bonded to in love and friendship as well as casual neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances and even strangers who enter our lives “by chance.” May we take time to really see people… to listen to them… to respect them… to encourage them … learn from them … and find ways to serve them.

And third, this Advent we might take a little time to reflect upon our own death–whether we think death is near or far in the future. We can do this by raising questions such as these: Are there things I still hope to do before I die? What’s preventing me from doing them now? Are there individuals I would like to see again, have a good conversation with, write a letter to, ask questions of, or be reconciled with? Is there something I’d like to give away before I die?

Advent celebrates the three comings of Jesus. May we find ways to ponder those comings as we prepare for the Celebration of Christmas 2025. Happy Adventing to all of you!



For reflection:

Did any words stand out for you in today’s reflection?

Does Advent mean anything special to you?

Is there any practice you would like to do during these few weeks before Christmas?

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ANNOUNCING: My new booklet, Walking with Mary Through Light and Darkness, is now available at Twenty-Third Publications and Amazon. The 32-page booklet is a collection of reflections on Mary’s life with questions for reflection, prayers, and suggested videos and art work. It’s listed for $2.95, but lower bulk rates are also available. Hopefully, this booklet will help us to appreciate Mary as “one of us,” and Mary as our mother, sister, companion, and fellow disciple of Jesus. To order contact twenty-Third Publications: 1-800-321-4011 or [email protected]. Also available on Amazon.com.

Our video today is the Advent song, “Beyond the Moon and Stars” by Dan Schutte. It is based on Ps. 84:3: “Even the sparrow finds a home…a place near your altars, Lord, God Almighty.” Some of the phrases that touched me are these: “so great our hunger, Lord, to see your light… We place our hopes and dreams within your hand… You chose to dwell with us in flesh and bone…” For me the song captures the deepest longings of our hearts…

As I spend this week in retreat, I carry all of you in my prayers and in my heart… And, as usual, I invite you to respond below with a comment of your own.