First Sunday of Advent

Have you  ever met a person who just lives for the present moment? He or she does not worry about anything.  He/she does not worry about the future. This person says “who cares about tomorrow, just live for today. Nothing else really matters.” You might say this person isn’t a very responsible person. Yes, a person who doesn’t anticipate anything about their future is an irresponsible person.

Today, on the first Sunday of advent, Jesus is calling us to a great of responsibility- responsibility for advent. The word advent means arrival or approach. During these four weeks of advent we are happily awaiting the approach of Jesus into our lives.

The second arrival, that we celebrate is the happy expectation of child Jesus from the womb of His Mother. For us it is the four weeks before Christmas. For most people, advent means Christmas shopping and Christmas parties. For us, advent is a quite, silent waiting, a time of special prayer. Advent is a time for confession, a time of reconciliation with God and family. As a mother joyfully waits for the arrival of her child, so you and I wait quietly in prayer. Advent is a time to prepare for Christ’s arrival.

What is the basic step that you and I need to take a meet Christ at Christmas ? to meet the king of peace, we must first take away all the obstacles in our lives that hinder us from experiencing peace over these four weeks.

What is the obstacle to peace in your life ? Is it a nagging sin that hurts you and challenges your peace? Is it an unpaid bill, or strained relationship? Advent is the time when we work at ridding ourselves of all obstacles to peace . Christ gives us himself as the prince of peace only after we have experienced him as the source of peace.