ADVENT25: An Introduction
Dear friend,
We’ve arrived at another Advent season: one of preparation, cultivating the spirit of anticipation for the coming of Christ.
More often than not, I’ve found my own journey of arriving at Christmas to be less than ideal; more akin to a crash landing than a steady and well-executed one. Amidst the many plans for the season, Advent always seems to come and go in what feels like a passing rush. So it was no surprise that, during a recent time of prayer, the Lord nudged my heart with a simple question: When was the last time you truly slowed down?
To be completely honest, I had a hard time answering – and perhaps many of us would too. We live in a world that encourages us to maximise our lives, whether through efficiency, productivity, or pleasure. Nagged by the sense that there’s always something to do–or something that we ought to be doing–we are quick to move from one thing to the next. Even the spaces of prayer and rest may become shaped by the need to make the most of our time, rather than to simply be present. Amidst the disconnection we might often feel, Advent brings us a much needed invitation: one of intimacy with Christ.
As Pope Benedict XVI writes, “Advent, this powerful liturgical season that we are beginning, invites us to pause in silence to understand a presence. It is an invitation to understand that the individual events of the day are hints that God is giving us, signs of the attention he has for each one of us.” To grow in intimacy is to live in this reality. It is the opportunity to learn to be present to the eternal, to notice again the presence and movements of God in our hearts and lives. No one knew how to live this out more than our Blessed Mother, who opened herself fully to the will of God; who became the living tabernacle for the Light of the World. In her, we see how intimacy with God gives rise to steadfast faith and expectant hope, even in the most adverse of circumstances.
Thus, this Advent, we’re asking Mary to take us by the hand to the manger. Each week, we’ll focus on one of the following Joyful mysteries: the Annunciation, the Visitation, and the Nativity. These mysteries will be our aid in taking a closer look into Mary’s life, and more specifically, her virtues. Here’s what you can look forward to:
A reflection which explores one of the aforementioned mysteries, and highlights 1 to 2 key virtues of Mary.
An invitation for you to exercise the week’s virtues in everyday life, with practical examples.
A prayer activity surrounding the week’s joyful mystery, to help you make room for what God may be stirring in your heart.
We encourage you to use the materials prayerfully, and be intentional in going deeper with God in this Advent season. Like Mary, let us not lose sight of why and who we’re preparing for – the Infant King, the Saviour born unto us!
