As we enter the sacred season of Advent, a time of preparation, reflection, and anticipation, we are reminded of the importance of readiness—not only in our spiritual lives but also in how we engage with the world around us. Advent is far more than a countdown to Christmas; it is a call to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ, the Prince of Peace, into our lives and into a world longing for hope. In an age often marked by chaos, division, and uncertainty, Advent invites us to pause, to breathe, and to be renewed by the promise of divine light breaking into human darkness.
Advent challenges us to turn inward, to prepare not just for Christmas Day, but for the lasting peace and joy that the coming of Christ offers. As St. Bernard of Clairvaux beautifully expressed, “We celebrate the three comings of the Lord: the first in the flesh, the second in the soul, and the third in glory.” Advent, then, is about making room in our souls for Christ’s continual coming. Preparation during Advent is about inner transformation. It is about cultivating stillness in a noisy world, seeking reconciliation in broken relationships, and awakening to God’s presence in our daily lives. As St. Augustine once wrote, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Advent is a time to acknowledge that restlessness, to admit our longing for peace, hope, and meaning, and to allow God to fill that deep
spiritual hunger.
We live amid global conflicts, social injustices, economic inequalities, and ecological crises. Humanity’s yearning for peace and meaning feels more urgent than ever. Yet the voice of Advent calls us to step back from the noise—to rediscover silence, to reflect, and to prepare for something transcendent. It calls us to recognize our shared need for connection, reconciliation, and healing in a fractured world. As St. John Paul II said, “The world promises you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” Advent reminds us that true greatness lies not in possessions or success but in faith, hope, and love.
Christmas, at its core, is not simply a historical commemoration—it is a living mystery. The birth of Jesus was an event that transformed history, but it continues to transform hearts today. In the time of Christ’s birth, the world, too, was troubled—marked by oppression, poverty, and fear. Yet into that darkness came the light of divine love, the assurance that God is with us—Emmanuel. The hope and peace that Christmas represents were not only for the shepherds of Bethlehem, but for all generations seeking the face of God amid human suffering.
In an era of loneliness and uncertainty, the message of Christmas remains profoundly relevant. Christmas reminds us that love is stronger than despair, and that divine mercy continues to enter our world through every act of goodness, forgiveness, and compassion. St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) put it simply: “It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you.” To live Christmas is to let the Incarnation become visible through our lives—to let Christ be born again in our words, our choices, and our care for others.
The Christian call, then, is not to superficial celebration but to transformation. As St. Francis of Assisi urged, “Let us live as people who belong to the Light.” Christmas invites us to become that light—people who bring peace to homes, hope to the forgotten, and love to those who suffer. Preparation for Christmas is not passive waiting; it is active participation in God’s plan of renewal. It means finding time for prayer and reflection, engaging in acts of service that reflect Christ’s compassion, and seeking justice and reconciliation in our communities. We may feel powerless in the face of the world’s immense suffering, but even small gestures—listening, forgiving, smiling—carry divine power. As St. Thérèse of Lisieux reminds us, “A word or a smile is often enough to put fresh life in a despondent soul.” The beauty of Advent lies in these small, intentional acts that create ripples of grace in a weary world.
Sacred Scripture continually affirms this hope. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders; and he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6). This prophecy speaks not only of a child born long ago, but of God’s ongoing promise of peace and reconciliation. Likewise, in the Gospel of Luke, the angels announce: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10). These words continue to echo in our world today, offering courage amid fear and hope amid despair.
As we journey through Advent, may we embrace the quiet work of preparation- illuminating our hearts with faith and charity. Let this be a time of intentional readiness, a sacred pause that opens space for divine encounter. We are not only preparing to celebrate a moment in history but entering into a living mystery—the ongoing incarnation of God’s love in the world. In a time that often feels devoid of peace and meaning, the message of Christmas stands as a radiant truth: that love came down to dwell among us, and continues to dwell within us. Advent calls us to prepare, to hope, and to act—to become bearers of that love in our world. As St. Catherine of Siena once wrote, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
May this season of Advent and Christmas be for us not just a time of festivity, but of transformation—a renewal of heart, a rebirth of peace, and a deep awakening to the presence of God-with-us. In our longing to experience Christ, may we prepare also to bring His light to a world in need, and in doing so, rediscover the true meaning of Christmas: the gift of divine love that transcends all fear and renews all things.
Merry Christmas and a Grace-Joy-Hope-filled New Year 2026.
Rev. Shaji M.L., C.S.C.
National Director, HCFM- Canada
ADVENT TO CHRISTMAS…A JOURNEY OF HOPE, FAITH AND LOVE.
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