Be Our Guest / Sally Meyer
Use Advent as a time to receive, not achieve as you await the Christ Child
As I stopped at the red light, I read the license plate on the car in front of me. It simply said, “ACHIEVE.” Continuing along my way, I reflected more about that word.
For some people, achieve might mean the anticipated success of a business. To others, it could mean how smart someone proves to be or how successful a person is in one’s job.
Setting goals serves a purpose. We make them to improve a skill, to be a team player or to make plans. Achieving goals helps us learn to follow through on what we say we will do. I am often tempted to base my own sense of achievement on how productive I have been on any given day or how active I’ve been according to my Apple watch.
But as I sat at another stoplight, the word achieve did not seem to fit with the season of Advent.
In the midst of a busy time of year when I could easily become consumed with conquering my to-do lists, I realized I needed to stop and honestly ask myself, “Are my actions really reflecting how I am preparing for Jesus? Am I somehow losing sight of what is most important? What is God asking of me in this time of preparing for Jesus’ birth?”
Instead of focusing on achieve, I felt more drawn to reflect on the word receive.
Graciously receiving something from another in the form of gifts, words or time is invaluable. These types of gifts are heartfelt, and they are remembered. On the other hand, achieving feels more like a tightly clenched fist, pumped in the air, driven toward an “important” end or some sort of victory. The thrill and excitement do not last.
Advent is receiving what God offers us in preparation for Christmas. This means intentionally opening our hands and hearts, eager to accept something special given out of love. During this holy season, I believe God is drawing me to himself.
Rather than increasing my activities and ultimately finding ways to ignore him, I am called to do less and be more attentive to his voice. Although difficult, I believe I should slow down and notice how God is moving in my life and in the lives of those I love the most.
Instead of worrying about measuring up to a certain standard, I believe I am called to receive the embrace of a God who has always loved me—just as I am. God is the ultimate giver of gifts, and he longs for all of us to be the receivers of his unending love and mercy.
Advent receiving will become my compass that redirects my busyness toward a brighter, longer lasting light—the light that leads me to the Christ Child.
(Sally Meyer is a member of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis.) †