Reflection for Tuesday, December 1, 2015: 1st week in Advent.

Abstract

We are in our first week of Advent and full of anticipation. Many are also full of angst as we struggle to balance all that needs to be done to prepare for Christmas. The lists get longer and longer – cards, food, gifts, parties, concerts and special musicals; at times, we forget what it is that we are really preparing for during these weeks in December. |The late November Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, was a bump in the road as Christmas decorations have been out commercially since end of summer. Many are still nursing the bruises from Black Friday and admiring the bargains that were gathered. Yet our readings foretell of the wonders of the future – what we have to look forward to – not because of bargains and lights but because of the birth of a very special Child.