Winter doesn’t officially start until next Saturday, but in my neck of the woods, it came in with gusto last weekend. The snow started Sunday morning, and within a few hours, everything was covered, including the roads. What a mess, albeit a pretty one.
More snow came on Tuesday, and we got an additional blast yesterday afternoon. And to think winter isn’t even here yet! I wonder if we’re in for a long, cold and snowy season…
This upcoming week will be the last full week in the season of Advent, a time when Christians prepare their hearts and minds for the remembrance of Jesus’ birth. Last night, our priest reminded us that, if we haven’t really embraced the spiritual aspects of this season, it’s not too late to refocus ourselves.
There is much more to Christmas than parties and gift-giving, but I’m sure you already know that. Heck, even Charlie Brown and Linus knew, and so the story was told once again at the end of A Charlie Brown Christmas, made when we as a society weren’t so afraid to speak of Jesus’ birth on prime time television.
Let’s all spend the next ten days spiritually preparing ourselves for Christmas. Turn to the Gospel of Luke and read the story. Start at Luke 1:26, and continue to 2:20. Take your time. Reflect and pray. Think about the beautiful title of Jesus, Emmanuel. What does it mean to you that God is with us? Ten days isn’t nearly enough time to ponder the meaning and think about how it’s lived out in our daily lives. Enjoy these last days of Advent. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
