Advent: Thanking God Ahead of Time

Dec 2, 2017 filed under Justice, Love.

Girl thanking mom for gift

My pastor said today that Advent is a time of gratitude “for the gift to come.” “Thank God ahead of time” is how Blessed Solanus Casey, newly beatified American priest, put it.

During Advent, we gratefully contemplate meeting the Lord face to face at the end of our lives and we look forward to the memorial of His birthday as true God and true man. The Word was made flesh and pitched his tent among us (John 1:14).

Father suggested three ways to gratefully anticipate Christmas:

  1. Be open to sharing what you have and who you are. Don’t think it’s not enough. Be like the little boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish (John 6:9), whose small offering was more than enough when combined with God’s grace.
     
  2. Be fishers of men. Invite someone to come back to Faith who’s been away for a while.
     
  3. Be open to an encounter with Christ in confession. Wish to be a saint. Allow God to pour His love and forgiveness into your heart.

I’ll be meditating on the inspiring words of Solanus Casey’s friend, who observed, “When he was speaking with you, you felt that he was constantly God-centered, on fire with love for God, and constantly God-conscious, seeming always to have his eyes on God. He seemed to see everything as flowing from God and leading back to God.”

Let’s pray for each other that we include a good share of gratitude and joy on our to-do list as we go about preparing for Jesus’ birthday party.

Love always,
Rose

P.S. And if you need help staying joyful as the season heats up, click here to learn about Path to Patience, my short online course that will help you handle store lines and even visiting relatives!

6 Responses to “Advent: Thanking God Ahead of Time”

    • Cheri Albaugh

      I am gratefully following the path of Mary in waiting and preparing for her son Christ Jesus to be born. Walking slowly as not to miss anything. Keep8ng ty4 anticipation good, joyful instead of fear based.
      As the Chi rich starts her new year with the Gospel of Mark
      Peace be on you

  2. Tom Roberts

    I experienced the three ways this way:
    Back in 1999 I made up my mind to become a Catholic. I got up the courage to ask a man to be my RCIA sponsor. He didn’t say “Let me check my calendar.” He said “Sure, when do you want to start?”

  3. Irmgard Baynes

    this was my inspiration on the 1st Day of Advent prompted by my Pastor at the Clifton Family Church.
    “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and clearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, genteleness and patience.”
    Colossians 3 -12
    Take the time of Advent to rekindle your relationships by showing love through more kindness, more hugs, more kisses…stepping out of our comfort zone. ..inspired by this Sundays sermon by Pastor Manoj Jacob,