December 1, 2024.
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” (Luke 21, 25-28)
The Advent begins. The time of preparation for Christmas begins. As in all preparation, it is denoted by searching one’s conscience, for penitence, for purification. It has to do with preparing the home to receive the Son of God. On the other hand, it also has to do with realizing the greatness of the gift that the Birth of Christ signifies. This is why the Gospel invites us to meditate on the wonderful luck we have from the redeeming visit the Lord paid us, and to know it. This luck, greater yet because we realize it, must support us in the midst of difficulties. When these difficulties affect us, when they cause us to stagger and to yet doubt the love of God, it is enough to look with the eyes of the soul on the Nativity scene. The shepherds who went to adore the newborn Jesus did not receive miracles or money, however they left there happy because they carried the certainty and assurance of the love of God.
Truly, what Christ wanted to do with his birth in Belen, the same as with his death in Golgotha, was to show man, beyond all doubt, that God loved him. Looking at the child in Belen or at the Crucifixion, despite suffering, even suffering a lot, we can’t doubt God, because there is no greater proof of love than someone who gave their life for you and if, also, this someone is God himself it acquires such large dimensions that the only response is a love the most similar to that love received as possible. The Christian, who knows of this divine love, when suffering, when feeling anguish the same as the rest of men, doesn’t sink, but “lifts their head”, looks toward heaven, confides in the love of God and there finds their peace and hope.
Intentions: Affronting difficulties contemplate the Nativity scene and reaffirm our faith in the love of God, which will fill us with hope. And begin to prepare the house for Christ.