Advent Should've Been More

by David Lins  |  12/18/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

Advent should’ve been more.

More than a search for the perfect gift for a loved one. More than favoring everything with peppermint and pumpkin. More than Hallmark movies with predictable plots where everyone looks like they were created in a central casting laboratory.

Advent should’ve been more.

More than a time for family. More than a time to make a yearly pilgrimage to the confessional. Even more than getting ready for the arrival of the infant Jesus.

It should’ve been a time where we renew our commitment to be ready for when Jesus comes again. It might be the second coming. Or it might only be Jesus coming for us individually.

Christmas needs to be more.

More than opening gifts. More than calling friends and family. More than football on the television. More than Jimmy Stewart and Rudolf. More than hot cocoa. More than a big meal that leaves you feeling bloated. More than dressing up and taking family photos. More than getting to church early for a good seat. Even more than celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

In addition to all of those things—some better than others— it is also a day when we recognize Jesus came for more than a birthday celebration. It is the day He came to show us how it’s done. The day He came to establish His Church. The day He came to suffer for things we have done, are doing, and will do. The day He came to show us death is not the end.

We Catholics understand purgatory exists because things like anger, entitlement, greed, lust, and narcissism cannot exist in Heaven. If we follow that train of thought, we realize if we want the peace of Heaven in our hearts, we must evict those sins from our hearts first.

After all, this is the day He came to show us the way. You. Me. Not that other person. May we all take a look in the mirror and figure out how to make way for the Lord in our hearts.