In one of the Christmas Vigil Payers, we ask God to help us catch our breath in this time of festivities. There’s a lot of deadlines to meet, lots of shopping to be done, there’s a lot of hustling and bustling. In all of this, we need peace. We need to catch our breath so as to truly prepare our hearts and families for the main reason for the season: the coming of Jesus into our hearts and our world this Christmas.
What can we do in order to catch our breath? I would suggest five things:
- Adoration: take some time to come for adoration on Wednesday or Friday or any day. You can say the joyful mysteries of the Rosary, you can read the first two chapters of the Gospel according to Luke. Or you can simply sit in silence and enjoy the presence of Jesus. Or you can tell him the desires of your heart, your yearning, your longing.
- Praying with a candle at home: turn off every light and light a candle before your meal or before bed and say a prayer for someone every day until Christmas. It is such a peaceful experience looking at a lit candle while in the dark.
- Shopping: as you wait to pay, say a prayer for the person behind and before you. Smile to them and wish them “Merry Christmas.
- Do something for someone: this advent that will bring joy and a smile to the person.
- Confession: for Christmas confession, Three things to consider as you prepare – recall the blessings of the year and the challenges, the sins and struggles, where do I need healing in my life.
May your advent be a truly blessed one!
Your Brother,
Fr. Obi