Reflection for December

Christmas is coming! Preparations for the big day are under way, the shops have been at it for some weeks already. But what is it that is coming? Hopefully a happy time to celebrate with family and friends, presents, plenty of good food, but maybe the New Year starting with a hole in the bank balance or an even bigger number on the credit card. Probably all those things but not of course for everyone.

But what about the Christ part of Christmas?  This short season of Advent focuses our thinking, our anticipation of remembering and giving thanks for the coming of the Christ child into our human lives. Almighty God, made man for us, God with us then and, wonderfully, now. That is indeed something to celebrate.

An old proverb says, “You can’t fatten the pig the night before the fair”. Time and again I remind myself not to wait until Christmas Day to give thanks for the generous love and unfailing mercy of God. Advent provides the time look again at my life, what I am doing, what I am regrettably leaving undone and prepare myself to do better. Advent is a time to reflect on God’s infinite love and mercy for me and all mankind, on His willingness to forgive and His desire to be reconciled with us all, not just on Christmas Day but every day of the year. Thanks be to God.