Advent is just around the corner!

This morning, I had to go to the basement to help unload boxes of donated items we’ll be putting on our rummage sale. Then, I remembered: “I have to get the stand up for the advent wreath!”

I did this and returned to first floor in time to set up in chapel for our 9 a.m. Mass.

Afterword, when giving the receptionist her morning break, I could hear, of all things, Christmas music!

You might call me a bit of a ‘scrooge,’ I guess, but one thing that gets on my nerves every year is our society’s inability to WAIT!

We have Christmas movies, Christmas music, Christmas sales well over a month before the REAL Christmas season actually begins.

To me, it is so difficult to truly observe Advent, to wait and prepare for the joy of Christ’s coming. I so wish our culture would practice a little patience so I could more easily and peacefully practice the time of Advent waiting.

Last year, I published a little poem in our newsletter here at St. Anne’s, articulating some of these sentiments. I hope you enjoy it:

Carolers come and carolers go;

visitors track in ice and snow.

They’re trying to bring us all good cheer

during this special time of year.

We have activities like ‘Santa Races,’

see Christmas décor in various spaces;

There’s parties and plentiful goodies to spare

as ‘Season’s Greetings’ many do share.

Amidst these busy, bustling scenes,

many forget what Advent means:

that it is, in fact, a time to wait

and prepare to celebrate.

While some have Christmas in mid-November,

Let us all, ourselves, remember

To make our hearts ready during this season

For our Lord’s coming, which is its real reason.

Let us make room for Him to come in,

and as our Advent does begin,

let’s share His love with each person we see

and prepare for His nativity.