Advent: More Than a Chocolate Calendar

Summary

Father Mike Schmitz discusses the true meaning of Advent, emphasizing it as a season of devout and joyful preparation for Christ's coming, rather than a penitential period like Lent. He explains that Advent invites us to prepare not only for the celebration of Christ’s birth but also for His second coming. The reflection highlights the importance of making room for Jesus in our lives and stresses the value of saying 'no' to distractions, allowing us to say 'yes' to Christ. Advent is presented as an opportunity for spiritual growth, focusing on a deeper, intentional relationship with Jesus.

Takeaways

• 😀 Advent is not a penitential season like Lent. It is a time of devout and joyful preparation for the coming of Christ.
• 😀 Joy is not just happiness based on circumstances. It is a deep sense of well-being that comes from knowing God loves us, no matter our circumstances.
• 😀 Advent prepares us for both the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas and His future second coming at the end of time.
• 😀 Advent is also about the intermediary coming of Christ into our lives through prayer, Scripture, the Eucharist, and fellowship.
• 😀 The goal of Advent is not simply to have a 'merry Christmas,' but to prepare our hearts to worship Christ well and be ready for His return.
• 😀 We need to ask ourselves if there is room for Jesus in our lives, especially amid the busyness of the season.
• 😀 Saying 'no' to distractions like excessive Christmas music, parties, and indulgence can create space for Christ in our lives.
• 😀 Advent is a time for us to practice the word 'no' to things that crowd out the focus on Christ.
• 😀 Our consumer-driven culture has led to an overload of Christmas activities, but as children, we had more limited exposure, helping us focus better.
• 😀 Saying 'no' during Advent allows us to say 'yes' more fully to Jesus, by giving Him more room in our lives.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Advent according to Father Mike Schmitz?

Father Mike emphasizes that Advent is a season of devout and joyful preparation for the coming of Jesus, both His first coming at Christmas and His future return at the end of time.

How does Father Mike define the term 'devout' in the context of Advent?

Father Mike clarifies that 'devout' doesn't mean pious or distant but refers to being resolute, firm, and wholehearted in our preparation for Christ's coming.

What is the difference between joy and happiness, as explained by Father Mike?

Joy, according to Father Mike, is a deeper and more profound emotion than happiness. While happiness is based on external circumstances, joy is an abiding sense of well-being rooted in the knowledge that God loves us, independent of our circumstances.

Why is it important to prepare for the second coming of Christ during Advent?

Father Mike stresses that while Advent is a time to prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, it is also a time to prepare for His second coming, when He will return at the end of time.

What does Father Mike mean by the 'intermediary coming' of Jesus?

The 'intermediary coming' refers to the presence of Jesus in our lives today, through prayer, the Word of God, and the Eucharist. Father Mike highlights this as another way of preparing for Christ's arrival.

What challenge does Father Mike pose about making space for Jesus in our lives?

Father Mike asks whether we would have room for Jesus in our busy lives today, not just during Christmas, but in our everyday schedules and priorities.

What is Father Mike's perspective on the Christmas celebrations during Advent?

Father Mike acknowledges that while Christmas music, parties, and food are not bad in themselves, the excess of these activities during Advent can distract us from the true purpose of the season. He encourages us to practice saying 'no' to some of these distractions.

How does saying 'no' help in preparing for Advent, according to Father Mike?

Saying 'no' allows us to create space for Christ in our lives. By limiting distractions like excessive holiday festivities, we make room to focus on the true meaning of Advent and to say 'yes' more fully to Jesus.

Why does Father Mike believe it's important to limit distractions during Advent?

Father Mike believes that limiting distractions helps us focus on what is truly important—preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ, both at Christmas and in our daily lives.

What is the ultimate goal of Advent, as described by Father Mike?

The ultimate goal of Advent is to prepare ourselves to worship Christ well at Christmas and to be ready for His second coming, while also making space for His presence in our daily lives.