Advent is now upon us. It is a time of waiting and a time of preparation for the anniversary of the coming of the Son of God. Instead of making spiritual preparations during Advent, many of us get caught up in the demands of the holiday season. Any extra time we have is spent on the material preparations that have become an annual tradition, such as buying gifts, decorating our homes and work areas, planning parties, and baking treats.

In an effort to make it easier for you to spiritually prepare for Christmas, what follows is a short meditation for each day of Advent. Please take the time each day to read the meditation for that particular day. Try to incorporate the message of each meditation into your daily activi­ties. By doing this, you will have a better appreciation for the full meaning of Advent and the historic day when Jesus came to Earth to redeem mankind.

Sunday, November 28, 2021 – Have you set any spiritual goals for Advent? You may think, “I don’t have time for that.” How do you find the time to set and accomplish your material goals, such as buying gifts, decorating your home, planning parties, and baking treats? Take the time now to write down one spiritual goal for Advent (e.g., an extra daily prayer, a daily sacrifice, daily spiritual reading, etc.). Then make a commitment to God to accomplish your goal during this Advent season.

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Monday, November 29, 2021 – “Thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son, Jesus.”  He was there, hidden in Mary’s womb. He is here, hidden in our Adoration Chapel. Will Jesus be lonely this Christmas season? Are you willing to visit Him regularly during Advent so you can better understand the true meaning of Christmas? He is waiting. He is always there.

Tuesday, November 30, 2021 – “The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph.”  When we were conceived in our mother’s womb, God gave each of us a companion — a guardian angel to assist us throughout our lifetime. Ask your guardian angel every day to help you understand what God’s will is for you.

Wednesday, December 1, 2021 – “I am the handmaid of the Lord.” A handmaid was a servant who was always subject to the master. Are you willing to be a servant to the Christ child? If you are, you must humble yourself and seek to constantly serve Him. What is the easiest way to serve God? By praying for and serving others. Will you choose to serve God this Christmas season?

Thursday, December 2, 2021 – “Be it done unto me according to thy word.” Mary was ready on a moment’s notice to do God’s will. Are you ready on a moment’s notice to do God’s will, or are you too busy doing your own will — shopping, working, socializing, partying? Are you willing to do one thing for God each day during Advent?

Friday, December 3, 2021 – “She was found to be with child.” But what about Joseph? He was troubled and confused until an angel confirmed that the Christ child was “begotten of the Holy Spirit.” Like all of us, Joseph had his own cross to carry. When you are faced with trials and tribulations, are you willing to be patient and trust in God in the same way that Joseph trusted Him?

Saturday, December 4, 2021 – “Behold Elizabeth thy kinswoman also has conceived a son. … Mary arose and went with haste and saluted Elizabeth.” Mary could have stayed home. She was, after all, the mother of God. Instead of staying home, she “went with haste” to someone who needed her help. Are you too busy this Christmas season to go with haste to someone in need? Are you willing to help one person who is in need during this Christmas season? “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.”

Sunday, December 5, 2021 – Have you worked toward accomplishing your spiritual goal for Advent? Is there anything else you can be doing on a spiritual level to prepare for the coming of the Christ child? Take the time now to write down what else you are willing to do to prepare for the coming of our Lord.

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Monday, December 6, 2021 – “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” Zachary doubted and was struck dumb. How often do we doubt the word of God? How often do we question our faith? Let us pray for trust and faith this Christ­mas season, so we are not blinded by doubt, but instead, en­lightened by the grace of God to accept His will at all times.

Tuesday, December 7, 2021 – “How have I deserved that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Elizabeth knew, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, that Mary was the mother of God. She realized that God came to her through Mary. Do you realize that God comes to you through other people? Do you realize that you have the opportunity to bring God to other people by your loving presence, example, and assistance?

Wednesday, December 8, 2021 – “He who is mighty has done great things for me.” How often do we take credit for something we do? Always? Most of the time? We think we are great because of our abili­ties and achievements. When someone compliments us on some­thing we’ve done, we should take the time to pray silently, He who is mighty has done great things for me. Give credit where credit is due and you will be one step closer to the true meaning of Christmas.

Thursday, December 9, 2021 – “The babe in my womb leapt for joy.” How was it that Elizabeth’s son, John the Baptist, leapt in his mother’s womb at the approach of the Christ child? Was Eliza­beth’s unborn son worthy of life? Yes, he was a precious new life who was an intri­cate part of God’s grand design, just as every unborn life is an intricate part of God’s grand design. Are you willing to remem­ber all the unborn children in your daily prayers during Advent? The Christ child would expect you to.

Friday, December 10, 2021 – “Mary remained with Elizabeth for about three months.” All Mary needed to know was that her elderly cousin needed assistance and she was there to help. Are you willing to make a special effort this Christmas season to show love for an elderly person? During Advent, make an effort to visit an elderly relative or a “stranger” at a nursing home. You may see Christ in the person you visit.

Saturday, December 11, 2021 – “There was no room in the inn.” Now what? Why is it that we always seem to have these monumental problems? How did Mary and Joseph react to the statement that there was no room for them? Did they view their dilemma as a “problem” or an “act of Providence”? They knew they were faced with an act of Providence — a situation that God allowed them to go through to bring them closer to Him. Isn’t that what our problems are — acts of Providence that are intended by God to bring us closer to Him? Next time you have a problem, consider it an act of Providence and use it as an opportunity to grow closer to God.

Sunday, December 12, 2021 – Set aside the anxieties, worries, and tensions that come along with the materialistic views of Christmas. Write down what you can do to serve the spiritual needs of your family during the next two weeks.

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Monday, December 13, 2021 – “She brought forth her firstborn son.” Mary and Joseph were patient and understanding with their son, Jesus. How can you be more patient, understanding, and loving with your own children and loved ones during this Christmas season?

Tuesday, December 14, 2021 – “She wrapped him in swaddling clothes.” He renounced all earthly possessions from the day He was born. He could have chosen to be born in a palace with fine clothing and other earthly possessions. Instead, He came to this Earth in humility and left the Earth in humility. Would you be willing to give up your earthly possessions to follow in our Lord’s footsteps? Give up one thing today that you desire and offer your sacrifice up as a prayer.

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 – “She laid him in a manger.” Why would God preordain that His Son be laid in a manger? Is there a message for us in this simple act of humility? “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” Are you meek? Are you humble of heart? Learn from the Christ child, who was willing to be born in a shelter for animals and placed in a manger.

Thursday, December 16, 2021 – “She laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.” God can be loved anywhere — in a cave, a car, an office — anywhere. Try to make an act of love in a different place each day — in your car, in your office, in your kitchen, in the bathroom. Make room for the Christ child in your heart everywhere you go.

Friday, December 17, 2021 – “I bring you good news! … an infant … lying in a manger.” Can you “tell a book by its cover?” What would you think if you saw a baby wrapped in swad­dling clothes, lying in a manger, in a cave, surrounded by animals? Are you willing to look for Jesus in every person you meet? Are you willing to look beyond the “cover” and accept people as they are?

Saturday, December 18, 2021 – “We have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” The three kings had everything money could buy, but they were not content. Something was missing — the Christ child. Is there something missing in your life? If you search for and find the Christ child, you will find true happiness.

Sunday, December 19, 2021 – How are you going to carry the Christ­mas spirit into the new year? Write down one spiritual resolution for the new year (2022). Are you willing to attend Mass more than once a week? Are you willing to pray a daily Rosary? Are you willing to make spiritual reading a part of your daily routine? Make the commitment right now by writing it down.

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Monday, December 20, 2021 – “Love one another as I have loved you.” How much did Jesus love you? Enough to be born in a shelter for animals. Enough to die on a cross, so He could win salvation for you. Would you voluntarily submit to being nailed to a cross for the benefit of all humanity, including the men who tortured and killed you? “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Tuesday, December 21, 2021 – “So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” He came as a helpless infant on that cold Christmas morning more than 2,000 years ago. He will come again. But when? If he came for you at this very moment, would you be ready for Him? You’re not going to be able to ask for an extension of time. When our Lord comes for you, you better be ready.

Wednesday, December 22, 2021 – “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” How often do you invite Jesus to enter under your roof? In other words, how often do you receive the Eucharist — the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ? Only once a week? Every time you participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, you invite your Lord and Savior to enter your body and soul, even though you are not worthy of receiving him. Why would you limit participation in this great miracle to only one time a week?

Thursday, December 23, 2021 – “Love one another as I have loved you.” How much does Jesus love you? Can His love for you be measured, or is it limitless? What would you do if you had limitless love for someone? Could you ever have limitless love for a stranger (what God refers to as “your neighbor”)? Would you be willing to be tortured and nailed to a cross as an act of love for a stranger?

Friday, December 24, 2021 – “She laid Him in a Manger.” Do you know what the definition of a “manger” is? It’s “an eating trough” — something that animals eat out of. Do you know what “Bethlehem” means? It means “house of bread.” The Bread of Life was placed in an eating trough after being born in the house of bread. Are you willing to continuously seek to develop a deeper love for the Eucharist, which should include frequent attendance at daily Mass and participation in weekly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament?

Saturday, December 25, 2021 – “And they shall call Him Emmanuel” (which means God is with us).

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“The mark of the Christian is the willingness to look for the Divine in the
flesh of a babe in a crib, the continuing Christ under the appearance of bread
on an altar, and a meditation and a prayer on a string of beads.”
– Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

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© 2021 Harry M. Williams

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