Be Our Guest / Dale Platteter

During Advent, prepare your heart for the coming of Jesus

If your 2025 Advent calendar only has three pieces of chocolate remaining and December has only just begun, you should probably read this.

Are you serious about getting closer to Jesus? No matter how we answer this question, this Advent season could be the “personal call from God” that we are all waiting for.

While many of our friends are busy preparing for Christmas as an historical event and merchants are taking advantage of the tradition of gift-giving, our Church’s liturgy is calling us to do something else to prepare for Christmas, something personal to prepare for the coming of Jesus into our hearts.

“But Jesus has already come to me personally, I experience his presence in prayer. I read Scripture. I encounter him in the Eucharist. I am comfortable with my relationship with him.” If those words reflect my attitude, I am standing in front of a large stumbling block which is limiting my spiritual growth.

During this season of Advent, the Church is asking us to make an extra effort to prepare our hearts for the re-coming of Jesus. No matter how far we have progressed (or regressed) on this personal journey, there is always room to move one step closer to God.

Each Sunday, our Mass readings recall Old Testament prophecies which led up to Jesus’ coming. The readings repeat one basic theme: God has never failed to take care of his chosen people throughout all time. The accounts of Israel’s long waiting period, and our own need to recognize his presence in our lives, are similar events.

Let’s take advantage of this opportunity during Advent. Prepare for Sunday Mass by reading the three readings for each of those Masses during the week. Let God’s word soak into your heart all week. Lengthen family prayer time by one minute every day and light a candle on the family Advent wreath. Prayerfully sing the “O Antiphons” during Mass and heartfully express a longing for the Messiah, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Pray without distractions.

Our Advent experience needs to be more than a recalling of ancient historical events. We need time alone in prayer, alone with Jesus, reflecting on today. We must open our hearts and accept his grace and presence.

Unlike the Israelites in Old Testament times, we know the end of this story. We are reminded that God will lead us out of the desert, and he longs to be actively involved in our lives. We are sorry for what we have done to offend him during our wandering. We recall his promises of unconditional love and forgiveness.

God is present today, providing us with his amazing grace, not only during this liturgical season but every day. No matter where we find ourselves on this journey, he is present to us.

Prepare for his coming this Christmas by opening the door of your heart.
 

(Dale Platteter is a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Bedford.) †