Advent peace

I'm getting to do my favorite thing in Advent: sitting in my home, dark, the lights of the Christmas tree aglow, listening to some Advent/Christmas hymns, contemplating the week ahead and reminiscing about the week past.

Advent 2013 brought two personal highlights: my 5th anniversary of ordination to the Permanent Diaconate and the well documented visit of Calvin, my dear, sweet #1 grandson.  How I wish he were here right now.  Yet I am at peace knowing he is back home, safe & sound with momma & daddy.  Wendy and I, aka, Nona & Pops soaked in every moment of every minute Calvin was with us.  I really loved going to breakfast or dinner, showing him off or just playing games with him, age appropriate for a 15 month old!  Yesterday was that dreaded ride to the airport, that bittersweet moment that arrives when you say "see you later" but are fulfilled by the beauty and memory of the visit.  Both Calvin's visit and his return to his North Carolina are indeed a source of my Advent peace!

Long ago, when looking at the Advent calendar, I circled the date: December 13, 2013; the 5th anniversary of my ordination, and that of my formation classmates.  I played the scene over and over in my head of preaching on that big weekend, of reuniting with my brother deacons, of soaking up all things related to the anniversary.  Ah it was not to be with the scheduling of my families visit.  And while I did regret the fact that I would not be celebrating with the Class of 2008, I surely had no regrets for the reason why.  I am at peace how things worked out.  Celebrating in my heart and memories these fulfilling and beautiful 5 years in service to the Church and the people of God as a Permanent Deacon is a source of Advent peace!

So now I'm back to work, reconnecting with ministries, celebrating with parishioners and inmates alike the coming of Christmas 2013; all giving me a healthy dose of Advent peace!

These last days of Advent, may I suggest praying with the Advent Liturgy of the Hours, praying with the O Antiphons, reading Scripture, gazing at the beautiful Advent sky, calling to mind family and friends, remembering fondly those not with us, celebrate Christ in our life; all of this a source of Advent peace!

May that Advent peace be with you today, and all the way up to the grand celebration of His Nativity!