This first weekend of December marks the beginning of our journey of Advent. It usually coincides with the Toy Show on RTE and again Friday night’s programme was packed with fun and energy. The season of Advent is filled with opportunity, promise and spiritual things to do in getting ready for Christmas. But for some reason Advent is a season that always falls short. The Advent wreath is probably the best known symbol of Advent but after that it struggles to connect.

Maybe Advent was always going to struggle, especially as it coincides with a busy time of year for everyone. But I firmly believe it has much to offer and is full of meaning and deep symbolism. In the depth of winter we know that darkness is very prominent. Advent puts the spotlight on light and good news. Where there is light there is hope and meaning in our lives. Advent is a celebration of our good news. Even when we sometimes struggle to see it or appreciate it, it is very much there and it is ours. It is healthy, important and life giving. Christmas is a wonderful celebration of our good news.

Equally the good news of Jesus in our Gospel stories is extraordinary, life-enhancing and life changing. But it often gets lost in a lot of unnecessary complaining, wishful thinking and idle projects that go on around us. The challenge is to bring this good news alive and to believe that it does make a difference. This is at the heart of the Christmas message. The birth of Jesus is a reminder of God with us and among us. It’s not just about some event in the past but all about the difference it can make in our lives right now.


Thought For The Week is updated each Monday