This Advent season we have recognized the gift in waiting, learning to rely on God’s time. We have come to the Lord in reconciliation confessing our sins and receiving the gift of absolution and a clean spirit. And we have shared our blessings with others, giving not only of our material wealth to those in need but our time, love and support.
As Fr. Borski so eloquently put last night in Mass as he recapped our lessons of Advent, he explained that in these last few days of the Advent season we are called to make our ‘ordinary’ extraordinary. In our good morning hugs to the children, the laundry I’m washing, the eggs I’m scrambling, and the mess I’m cleaning. All of these mundane ‘ordinary’ tasks with become ‘extraordinary’ because I will appreciate the warmth of my sons arms around my neck, the fact that we have clothes to keep us warm and a decent washer and dryer to help with the task of cleaning! 😉 I’ll serve scrambled eggs with a smile on my face regardless of the fact I burnt every single piece of bacon that was supposed to go with it and recognize that I’m saving us all from a future heart attack. And as I pick up the house I’ll savor the memory I have of the friends that were over last night. The laughter we shared will put a smile on my face and make me forget the mundane task and I’ll say a prayer for each and every person as I recall the worries and concerns discussed in our gathering.
Christ came to us in an ‘ordinary’ way that was extraordinary. Mary and Joseph were ordinary people whose faith was extraordinary. You and I are Mary and Joseph, ordinary people given the special blessing of carrying our faith, protecting it from all harm, nurturing it as it grows in wisdom and understanding and sharing it with the world.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel!
Blessings
Shannon