With the launch of the Advent Season this past Sunday, our hearts are waiting with longing and hope-filled expectation for the coming of Christ. This season is the Church’s way of setting aside time for us to prepare our hearts for the eventuality of that arrival.
How do we prepare our hearts?
One way we can do so is to take extra prayer time. You must think I am crazy! How, Sister Glavin, do we take extra time at this busiest time of year? I would suggest a few minutes with your first cup of coffee, taking some quiet time, sitting in front of your Christmas tree while just allowing yourself to be aware of God’s Presence in your life. Or, perhaps you might consider taking the time when you are driving alone in the car, turning off the radio and awakening to God’s Presence in All that surrounds you. However you do so, taking just a few minutes a day for quiet God-moments is a wonderful opening to Christ’s birth within.
Another way we can prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ is by engaging in acts of kindness. I certainly see this happening around here. I see students preparing their Silver Tea gift of song out of love for their parents. I hear about students who are writing thoughtful notes to their teachers. I am highly aware that families, alums and friends are generously preparing Christmas baskets of food for those in need, and we know that the Middle School students are eagerly preparing gifts for families who are less fortunate.
As we continue to prepare our hearts in these ways, Christ comes to birth in our hearts and the Body of Christ becomes ever more evident in our world.
Thank you for joining in the preparation for the advent of Christ’s birth, thank you for all you do to REVEAL the Face of Christ in our community and THANK YOU for partnering with this Academy as we continue to help our children become the face, the heart and the hands of Christ in our 21st century world.
Maureen Glavin, rscj
