'Tis a Gift to be Simple

It's simple...and yet, at the same time, it's not: Jesus commands us to love one another and to love Him.

It seems like it should be so easy. But throughout the Bible (which I've been looking at even more closely recently as I study the Old Testament with my 6th graders), throughout history, and in our present age, there is much hatred and indifference. And I'm not saying I'm not guilty of it; I most assuredly am - I turn a blind eye to the suffering of those in other countries and even right on my street corner just the same as the next person.

But God is there saying, "Love me," "Look at me," "See me." How do I choose to respond?

This time of year is so busy for everyone - Christmas concerts, holiday shopping, get-togethers, final exams... It's almost impossible not to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of the season. But we have to stop; otherwise, we miss the point of Advent, this beautiful season of preparation. Advent calls us back to Jesus' simple message of love.

While not traditionally considered an Advent or Christmas song (though I have seen it on a few Christmas albums), perhaps "What a Wonderful World" should be. The beauty of this song (in my humble opinion) lies in the gift of being able to stand in awe of the creation and people around us, not over-complicating things or thinking we don't have enough; its beauty lies in recognizing Christ in our world, in one another, and in ourselves. It's that simple.

Advent is the perfect season to strip away all of the extras, the noise, and the busyness of our lives in order to make room in our hearts and minds for God. I would argue that only then are we able to realize what a gift we have and what a gift we are as children of God. And it is then that we can simply rest in God's presence with hearts full of gratitude and love.

May God's blessings be upon all of us and our loved ones this Advent and Christmas season.

It's beginning to look a lot like...Advent!

The coming of Advent means a few things for me:

1. Wear green...for next week I wear purple.

It started out as a bit of a joke, but then I thought, hey, why not? I bet I have enough green to wear it to school every day this week to finish out this liturgical season in style. And so I did. Some of the kiddos caught on, even taking time to wish me happy end to Ordinary Time on Friday afternoon. (Sometimes you just have to bring your own fun.)

Don we now our green apparel...fa la la la la...

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

2. Finish Marian morning devotions book...and get ready to start the Advent Saint reflections book on Sunday.
The timing of this book was perfect, and I recommend it for everyone, men and women alike. It's simple...and that's what is so beautiful about it. The book reflects on a different attribute or desire of Mary in each chapter (4-5 pages), and it covers the span of one month (31 days). What was extra special for me is that it focused on some of the Marian apparitions, which I had just been teaching my students about. Talk about timing!

3. Spend time in meditation and silence to make some extra room for God.
I am so grateful for the invitation to attend a Taize prayer service out west of the city this past Friday. It was just what I needed - it was a chance to take a step back and just sit in God's presence. While I had heard most of the songs before, even the ones new to me were easy to follow. Silence. Music. Mmm...
At one point they invited the children and teens to light their candles, and they then walked down the aisles and passed the light on to everyone in the church. During the psalm and alleluia, we raised our candles - it was a sight to behold. Later on, we brought our candles to the front in a procession. It was absolutely wonderful. 

4. Get my iPhone ready...
I have only had a smartphone for a little over two years. Yet, in those two years, I am afraid that I have become somewhat dependent on my email. So, I wanted to challenge myself this Advent to remove its easy access and, therefore, delete the app from my phone. I did a dry run yesterday, and let me tell you, it's hard! But I think that's just the point. I don't need my email to be at my fingertips - everything can wait, even though society wants us to think this is not the case. The hope is that with less focus on my phone I can put more focus on God.


5. Open the Christmas presents I bought for myself...and start planning next summer's road trip!
I was practically giggling with excitement upon opening my new Camelbak and my hiking boots, though my hiking boots still had the protection tag on them. (Sad day.) This summer I am looking to drive with my friend out west again but to some different national parks, having previously been to the Badlands, the Black Hills, Devil's Tower, Teddy Roosevelt National Park, and Mount Rushmore. Because we'll be hiking and camping, these items seemed like wise purchases (especially since I had a gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods).

protection tag...womp womp...

Yes indeed. It's beginning to look a lot like Advent. In fact, I am shortly off to the Christkindlmarket and then to a Christmas high tea with the ND women's connect group. Let's kick off this holiday season! Have a blessed Advent!

Extreme Makeover: Advent Prayer Edition

As I admitted to my 8th graders earlier this week, I wasn't doing so hot in my communication with God prior to Thanksgiving. (As a religion teacher, this is probably shocking, I know. But, unfortunately, it is true. 100%)

But, along came Advent, and I decided it was time to overhaul my prayer life, starting with making it a priority. To do this, I set my alarm clock for 15 minutes earlier each day than I would normally get up. (On the days I go to the gym, that's pretty darn early (because prayer is literally the first 15 minutes of my day), but it's worth it.) And in those 15 minutes, I sit with the readings of the day or reflections (mainly) from three sources: The Little Blue Advent Book, Fr. Barron's written reflections, and Sacred Reading from the Apostleship of Prayer. In addition, I journal a few thoughts here and there - you know, the main takeaways.

In looking back over my journal recently, I noticed a few themes:

1) Waiting is active. And it is hard. We have to keep in perspective how sometimes God completes His will only after a very long time. God's time isn't our time. We need to trust in the "slow work of God." We can't expect immediate returns.

2) We need to ask God/Jesus for His will in our lives. "Lord Jesus, make me the person YOU want me to be. I give myself to you." That's hard to say and truly mean when you say it. (Kinda like the Suscipe.) It's easy to hold back and say this and add on "...but really XYZ," isn't it?

3) It's time to get more familiar with the Bible. Bible study is all well and good, but I need to examine Scripture on my own too. There is so much richness in history and in the fulfillment of Jesus' coming.

4) We make promises for the times it is hard to keep them, not for the times it is easy to do so. If I could only tell you how many times this Advent season this thought has kicked me in the butt to get out of bed for the gym (commitment) or to listen to the Divine Mercy chaplet as I snuggle into bed each night when I'd rather fall asleep. It's so true - We promise so that we stick to something (or someone) when the going gets tough or when we just don't feel like it. And keeping that promise makes all the difference. And you know something? God always keeps His promises.

I pray that the remainder of this Advent season brings you and your loved ones peace and joy.

Went to the Chriskindlmarket tonight downtown - not quite sure how this translates, but I think it has something to do with "Goodbye" and "Happy Holidays!"

So many Advent resources, So little time

Such is life - better to have too many than not enough, right?

But man does that make it difficult for someone like me - I'm afraid to miss out on a really good one, so instead I always find myself doing all the reflections. Clearly, when I do it that way, I'm not being fully present for each one.

There's no one remedy or catch-all solution. But I have (for the record) tried to pare down a little this year - here's what I've been doing:

*I begin my morning with the "Little Blue Book for Advent" and Sacred Reading, spending about 15 minutes in prayer first thing. (That's the promise I made to myself for Advent - and, as far as promises go, you should listen to Fr. Mike Schmitz's podcast this week on promises --> They are made for those times that are difficult, not for the times when it's easy to keep them. That definitely got me out of bed this morning when I was tired and would rather have stayed in bed, no joke.)

*I receive the "Best Advent Ever" daily emails from Dynamic Catholic.

*I've come up with my mantra/slogan (something to say to yourself every morning to help you focus the day) for the season, as urged to do so by our priest at Mass on Sunday: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord!"

*I stopped reading a few daily reflections that I use outside of the Advent season. (I know this seems rather silly - why fix something that's not broken, right? - but it's really helped me focus.)

*I keep a written journal of my personal reflections and ideas based on what I read and pray about each day. (That's been AWESOME! I highly encourage the practice of journaling, even if it's just bullet points.)

What about you - Do you have any awesome reflections or things going on in your life this Advent season to help prepare the way of the Lord?

http://standrewsgreencastle.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/advent-art.jpg

All I Want For Christmas...

...is it to feel like Christmas.

I believe I'm doing everything right:
The Christmas tree is up (though there are no lights or ornaments yet)...
Christmas lights line the streets and the store windows...
The weather is chilly (even though there's no snow)...
The Advent wreath and decorations are up (and I get plenty of Advent reflections delivered to my inbox) to serve as reminders of the Church season...
I'm seeing two Christmas shows this week (A Q Bros Christmas Carol & some Christmas extravaganza with family in Michigan)...
My roommate busted out the first Christmas movie Monday night...
Christmas music plays nonstop (with no commercials!) every evening on the commute home...

Ok, so I haven't bought Christmas presents yet or sent out my Christmas cards...but I have to wonder, what is going on? What am I so wrapped up/preoccupied with that I'm moving through my favorite season (Advent!) without truly experiencing all the graces and wonder it has to offer?

I guess I don't expect an answer...I just hope to find some way soon to better enter into the spirit that everyone else around me seems to be exuding...

Time...for Advent

Holidays (and the related school breaks) always come and go much too quickly. It seems that just as your plane is landing at the airport you are taking off in the other direction to go right back where you came from.

How is it that time never slows down when you actually want it to?

Time is one thing you can never get back, it's true. It keeps pressing us onward, beckoning us to return to the grindstone of daily living.

But there is something about this time of year (Advent) that calls us to slow down, to prepare for Jesus' comings...

So, what are you waiting for? It's time to prepare...it's time to start slowing down...

Happy (liturgical) new year, everyone! Have a blessed Advent!

Check out some of these great resources to help in preparation for the season:

- Free Advent App

- Advent resources from Loyola Press

- Verymerry.ND.edu

- Faith.ND.edu prayer reflections for Advent