A Meaningful Advent

2020 December Blog by Betsy Nero   When I was a kid Advent meant a few things…calendars with mystery doors, a “wreath” that had a carousel type apparatus that spun when the candles were lit, and my sister and I reading the prayers on Sunday night before dinner. Honestly, none of that meant much to me. I went through the motions but with little interest. It was the time leading up to Christmas day that was filled with decorating, shopping, baking, writing cards, wrapping. It was the time to ready ourselves for a celebration.  But not one that was all that centered on God’s gift of love and peace.

Over the years as I have grown spiritually and leaned into the meaning of this very significant season, I am “getting it” more and more.

I have come to see it as a very personal time of quiet, prayer and sacrifice. It is a time for slowing down – I love that Northeast Ohio reflects what the Advent journey might resemble – dark, silent, and dying.

In the darkness I find the silence and the dying to self. I look for opportunities to be present to others. I find ways to share from my abundance.

In my advent time I also:

• prayerfully write out cards to loved ones
• slow down…while the world is rushing in chaos I find space to stop and breathe
• drive around and look at the lights recognizing the light of Jesus Christ in the beauty of each display
• read advent reflections by the greats – Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Dorothy Day, Oscar Romero, etc.
• listen to Christmas music, holiday music, advent music – there is joy in the season and I try to embrace it
• light candles and just sit
• try to shop local and support neighbors
• try to shop fair trade and make a difference in the lives of brothers and sisters in developing communities
• try to reduce wherever possible so as to not add to the abundant waste

I look for the dark and the silence and the ways I can strip away attachments in order to in some small way become a greater version of myself.

I will be offering a mini Advent retreat on Thursday December 3 for those who want to create a bit of quiet peace in this wonderous season. In addition, we have Advent Mondays of prayer.
Hope you’ll join us.