More and more I realize how much I like to give gifts to those that I love. I enjoy the careful thought and consideration of giving someone something they might want or need. I get so excited just thinking about it. As you may be aware, I like to think of myself as organized. So you can expect that when it comes to preparing for Christmas, I’m right on top of it in terms of gifts. I don’t like leaving it to the last minute. I want everything ready and prepared, with gifts beautifully wrapped and under the tree in time for Christmas.
It’s funny how caught up I can get in shopping for gifts and browsing online. Without even realizing it I get sucked into all the advertisements and gift guides that cover store windows and web pages. I can get so invested in finding the perfect gift. I put so much care into wrapping up gifts, adding ribbons and ensuring it looks as good as can be. Although it is the season of giving, I realized that I was veering off track and missing the mark. It came to me while I was sitting in adoration and looking at the Blessed Sacrament. There I was with Jesus, in His presence. I thought to myself, If I can invest this much time into gifts and presents, then why am I not investing this much into preparing for Christmas and realizing whose presence I long to be in. Advent is the time to prepare for the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. To prepare my heart for Him. The King of the Universe. I began to question… Am I ready to receive Him? Have I prepared my heart? Am I in a state of grace? Am I awaiting his birth joyfully? What gifts can I offer Jesus? There is adoration, I know he longs for me to freely and willingly give him my heart because there is so much more he longs to give me in return.
At Christmas time we receive the greatest gift of all. Now pondering this further it brought me back to my pilgrimage in the Holy Land. I thought about my visit to the Church of the Nativity. I remember waiting in line for my turn to see and touch the place where they believe Jesus was born. After waiting in line for so long, it was finally my turn and although the moment was so brief, it was enough for me. It’s almost as if time froze. I got to touch the very place where Jesus lay and in that moment he felt very close to my heart. I was overcome by that very moment. Jesus, the Son of God entered humanity and became one of us. He entered the world as a little baby, the same way we did. I was so overwhelmed that I couldn’t help but cry as my heart felt full.
This post is a reminder to myself and maybe to you that it’s not all about the presents but the one who we receive on Christmas Day. There is so much to prepare for. We heard from St. John the Baptist the words “Prepare the way of the Lord”. He is coming! Let us get to the very heart of what Advent is about. I want a clean heart that is ready for our Lord Jesus on Christmas Day. As Catholics we not only anticipate his first coming but also his second coming and I want to live with a full heart, grateful for every moment, repentant, joyful, ready to receive him and to be able to meet him face to face without any reserve.
Much love and prayers,
rin.
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