Arrival

I was sitting here waiting for the stain to dry on the project my husband and I were working on.  Boom!  Then suddenly Advent was on my mind, realizing it would be here before I knew it.   What does this special time of the year mean?  I looked up the definition which inspired me right away.  Advent means “arrival and signifies the start of an event or the arrival of a person.”  When we know someone is arriving, what are the things we want to do in preparation to welcome them?  The first thing on my to-do list would be to get my home in order.  Clean those areas that I’ve let the cobwebs creep in, the dust accumulate, and the clutter all around build up.  Why do I wait until the last moment, before their arrival, to get my house sparkling clean?  So it is with preparing for the arrival of the Child of Mary and Joseph.  Knowing Advent is around the corner, do we jump in on December 1^st and start preparing for the Christ Child’s arrival?  All during the year I know I should be preparing for His arrival by spending quality time in both thanksgiving and prayer, not just “cleaning my house” at the last minute.  My second task would be to set the table.  It’s a huge joke with my husband and myself.  I love to set our table many days before I know our guests will be arriving.  He’s always reminding me to “make sure you wipe the dust off the plates,” because I’ve done it so far in advance.  Knowing that Jesus is arriving, I set out all decorations/reminders well in advance, not only for our guests when they visit but to remind me of His arrival and that the Christmas season is not just about Santa Clause and rushing to the store to buy gifts.  Thirdly, what do we do when we welcome guests?  I know I take extra special care in putting on my best self.  I am not only cleaning my house, but I am cleaning and sprucing up myself.  Our tradition is to attend Midnight Mass (which now is 9 o’clock).  My husband usually wears a jacket and tie, and I pick out a nice outfit to look my best for Jesus’ arrival.  You may say that our appearance is not important, I know; however, I feel, both inside and out, that I am welcoming Him or any guest and should be respectful on this most Holy day, the day of Jesus’ birth.  Lastly, what about preparing a feast for our Newborn King?  My preparation includes making up my menu for our Christmas meal.  I always make a handwritten list that breaks down what we’re preparing for appetizers, main meal and dessert (of course).  The back page of my list includes my shopping list of all the items I need to prepare our feast.  After all, we are celebrating Jesus’ arrival.  He is knocking on your door as your guest, you are welcoming Him into your home, arms wide open and escorting Him to the head of the table.  This year, on Christmas Day, maybe you can visualize, as all your guests are arriving, that Jesus is there too, as you gather around the table.  Your house is clean, your table is set, and you are your best self.  How very blessed we are during this special time of preparation, Advent.  Thank you, Jesus for coming into my home and into my heart! 

“A voice cries out, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord in the wilderness, make straight in the desert a highway for our God; every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill shall become straight, and the rough ways smooth.'” Isaiah 40:3-5