Advent

Tips to keep light in the season

By Patricia Kasten

When I was in college, we had exams right up until the week of Christmas. The year I graduated, I had two finals on Dec. 18 - and graduated that night.

	A d v e n t Time of Preparation

Needless to say, I had no time for early Christmas shopping; I was one of those last minute shoppers dashing through the stores. Fortunately, my dad always put off his shopping, so we could shop together. That made it more fun.

As we approach the final week before Christmas, it is hard not to get wrapped up in the flurry of last-minute preparations. It's even harder to keep a sense of peaceful anticipation that is the intent of Advent. But we can still try. Here are some little ways to nurture that sense of the season.

• First, if there is any way to work it in, receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Many parishes have Advent reconciliation services and extra hours for confession. Taking a few moments to set life straight between you and God really makes "good will toward all" a lot easier.

• Play Christmas carols. If you have a chance to choose the holiday music, pick true carols, not holiday songs about reindeer and snowmen. St. Augustine said that those who sing pray twice, and those words seem to apply when humming along with "O Holy Night" or "Joy to the World."

• Give a gold star. The Magi followed a star to the Light of the World. Buy a box of gold stars, like we once got on papers at school. As you get a Christmas card, attach a gold star to it as an extra prayer that Christ's light will shine in the life's journey of the card's sender.

• Who doesn't put up at least one string of lights? And isn't one always burnt out? As you replace that bulb, take a second to remember someone who is no longer here to share Christmas with you. They are still a light of Christ in your life.

• Plant something. Many stores sell amaryllis or paper-white bulbs. Pick one up and watch it grow during the rest of Advent and through the Christmas season. Christ's presence in our lives often unfolds gradually, much like a flower. Seeing the obvious growth of a flower reminds us of that.

• Christ was a light for all nations. Be a light yourself by putting something in a food basket. Many grocery stores now have bags of food you can purchase at the checkout and have delivered to the local food pantry. It might not be gold or frankincense, but it makes a world of difference to someone.

(Kasten is associate editor of The Compass and holds advanced certification as a catechist for the diocese.)