It was my turn to write again.
Advent reflections to New Year’s resolutions
By Julie StorrDCCW
Have you ever really thought about Advent? A few years ago, I started wondering what the very first Advent was like. You know the routine, Joseph and an expectant Mary on the way to Bethlehem to pay taxes. A Google Maps search says that Nazareth to Bethclehem is between 97 and 100 miles, depending on which route they chose. Joseph should also use caution as the route might be missing sidewalks and pedestrian paths. If we were going to walk it today, Google says it should take 1 day and 10 hours. I’m thinking Google’s idea of a day’s walk is different than mine.
So, how many miles can a pregnant lady make in a day? Did Mary “get” to ride a donkey? If so, was it a bumpy ride? What did they eat? Where did they stay along the journey? How many hours a day did they travel? Let’s be honest – they probably didn’t find many nice rest stops, either. I’ll bet Mary’s mom was worried. She couldn’t call Mary on her cell phone, either. Where was Mary on her Advent journey today? She wasn’t buying gifts, cleaning or making fudge. She was waiting. (Google also says it was probably 4 days of travel in Biblical times, in case you were wondering.)
No radio, no GPS, just the quiet travel to Bethlehem. Maybe Mary and Joseph sang. Maybe they talked about their visits from the angels (I’d like to have heard that conversation!). Did they talk about how this newborn would be like no other? Mary may have spent time in quiet prayer, asking God “why me?” then maybe Joseph said “why not you? Why not us?” “Will he be a good baby?” Mary could have even prayed “Lord, what were you thinking?” (I’ve prayed that one.) Or “Help me.” I pray that one a lot, actually.
Waiting. Joyful waiting to be more exact, that’s what Advent is about. Yet the season of joy, wonder and waiting seems to have become the busiest season, full of distractions. Baking, shopping, wrapping, parties, cleaning, travel, we quickly lose sight of what matters. Don’t despair! There’s still plenty of Advent left to make this season the most wonderful time of the year.
Try these ideas to add joyful waiting to your Advent and none of them are hard:
1. If you don’t already, attend one daily Mass during the week. Adding one more Mass to your week will bless you all the more. Let the Savior, born in Bethlehem (which actually means the ‘house of bread’ – cool, huh?) feed you with his love.
2. Find some time, at least once a week (every day if you can pull it off) for some quiet prayer –with the Blessed Sacrament in church if you can; a quiet spot in your home if you can’t. Ask Jesus to be with you and to show you what he wants you to learn today. Read the daily readings, use a reflection book. If you don’t have one, try the one at mycatholic.com/reflections. Maybe even try to think about where Mary was today or put yourself in the readings, as if the author was writing to you personally.
3. Add a good, solid Catholic book to your Christmas list (get another for your parish library!). Extreme Makeover by Teresa Tomeo is a good choice as you can use it for a book club or retreat. You can read about the saints, learn more about the Catechism, and discover something new about the Mass. God will reward you for it!
4. Turn off your distractions (like facebook, email or TV) and pray (not just say) a Rosary. This may help- www.how-to-pray-the-rosary-everyday.com . Tune in a Catholic radio station. If you don’t have a local one, you can find plenty on line (try www.fhcradio.com). And, at least a couple nights a week, have a technology-free dinner with your family. Light a candle, too. They’ll love it. Actually, they may wonder what you’re up to, but oh well.
Don’t stop when Advent is over, either. You’ve started some wonderful habits that will become New Year’s resolutions that are easy to keep and that will change your life.
While winter has arrived, the diocesan council is already planning for spring.
Our convention will be April 21 in Moville. Watch the Globe for more information.
And from all of us at the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, we wish you a wonderful and very blessed Christmas.
