Dear friends! We have just entered into the season of Advent, a time of new beginning, of great expectation, of renewed desire to encounter the Lord in our lives. As I write this, I just became an aunt a few days ago. I am currently in Rome, anxiously awaiting my flight to the United States in a couple weeks so that I can meet precious little Ava. Already from the photos I’ve seen, and the quick video calls I’ve had with my brother, I am witnessing how becoming a dad has changed him and how he views life. The birth of a child brings joy, life, love and a new perspective on everything. As I reflect on my desire to meet Ava, I am reminded that this is the great gift of Advent. A joyful, expectant waiting to encounter the Lord, our beloved King.
We are entering a season in which we are invited to make space for the Lord in our lives and in our hearts. Perhaps sometimes our liturgical seasons can seem repetitive, living over and over again the same cycle of events and celebrations. However, each year as we enter into a liturgical season, we are different. We have been changed and transformed by our new experiences and by our relationship with the Lord. Every Advent has something new to offer us because we are new each year. We may ask ourselves:
How have I changed in this last year?
What is in my heart at the beginning of this new liturgical year?
Am I living a moment of joy? Of sorrow? Of gratitude? Of frustration? Of hope?
Whatever we are experiencing—the good, the bad, the good and the bad together, or perhaps even tiredness or resignation—we can bring that to the Lord. We can open our hearts and let Him enter there.
One of my favorite images is Adolf Hyła’s version of the Divine Mercy. There are many versions, but Hyła’s version in particular strikes me because of two aspects: Jesus’ gaze and His hand raised high in blessing. Jesus’ eyes are fixed on the viewer. This gaze penetrates the person who stands before the image. It is a gaze that looks deep into the heart and knows everything. Knows everything that inhabits that person’s thoughts, desires, frustrations, hopes, sufferings, joys, shame. And in that knowing, He raises His right hand high in blessing. He blesses us. He blesses me, and He blesses you. His blessing and His gaze are full of love, of welcoming, and of the desire to draw near to us. A place where we can find refuge.
I remember one time when I was home visiting my family, I was with my dad. I was in a bad mood and was speaking disrespectfully to him. I realized that I was in the wrong, and I felt ashamed, so with a small voice, I apologized to him. And his response without skipping a beat was, “Alexa, I know you! I can take it!” Years later, I still recall this moment as an experience of grace that deeply transformed my way of viewing God’s love for me. Jesus loves us! And this isn’t just something nice that we say. He knows all our faults and shame and sin. And yet He says to us, “I know you! I can take it!” In our tendency to turn away from Him when we feel shame, He invites us sinners to trust in His love for us and to draw near to Him.
Again, Advent is a time of waiting and of expectation. Scripture invites us to reflect on who we are expecting. The prophet Isaiah, well before Jesus was born, prophesied Christ’s birth:
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon His shoulder dominion rests. They name Him Wonderful Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, upon David’s throne, and over His kingdom, which He confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this! (Isaiah 9:5-6)
Perhaps we have heard this passage from Isaiah before, but have we ever really considered these incredible titles that are given to Jesus? “Wonderful Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” We may ask ourselves: which of these titles draws my attention most? Perhaps I am drawn to the title “Wonderful Counselor” as I feel a need to receive the Lord’s guidance in my life right now. Perhaps I am drawn to “God-Hero” as I recognize my own weakness and need for God to help me and save me. Or maybe “Father-Forever” if I feel the need to be reassured and looked upon with unconditional love. Or maybe it’s “Prince of Peace” as I find myself living in chaos and in need of inner silence and rest.
Which title for Jesus resonates most with me?
Is there another title that I would give Him?
This is an invitation for us this Advent: to prepare our hearts to draw near to Him who will be born in a stable and laid in a manger. He’s not about living in comfort. He’s about becoming lowly in order to draw humble hearts toward Him. Let us join the shepherds and the magi who embark on a journey to meet our Lord. Let us not be afraid to come just as we are. And let us allow ourselves to be surprised by how He wants to enter into our lives and into our hearts in a new way this year.
Suggested concrete resolutions:
- I can listen to and pray with the song “Prepare Him Room” as a preparation to encounter Jesus this Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf7QDOX-Tks
- I can pray in front of Hyła’s version of the Divine Mercy image. I might simply gaze at the image, without thinking too much, but allowing Him to look at me and bless me.
- During Advent, I can create a small prayer space in my home. I can add a Bible, a crucifix, a rosary, a candle, or whatever is significant to me and my relationship with the Lord. I could add something that reminds me that we are in the season of Advent and that I am preparing my heart to encounter the Lord. Perhaps it can be a place where I say a prayer every day, or simply a place where I can glance over and be reminded of the meaning of Advent.
This month’s meditation is by Alexa Van Lerberg.
