A “Snoozer’s” Guide to Advent

(or how do we stay awake & wait?)

I don’t know about you, but it has become more and more difficult for me to stay awake to the transformative power of Advent during these current times.

I mean, pick your excuse. Decorations out in the stores even before Halloween; 24/7 Christmas ads on the TV and social media; Hallmark Channel Christmas Specials (I counted over 50); Black Friday for a month! Throw in a Government Shutdown, food insecurity and a shortage of Air Traffic Controllers and, who wouldn’t want to sleep through the 24/7 News Cycle and pull the covers over our head?

In the Second Reading for this First Sunday of Advent, Paul instructs us, “You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light”. And Jesus clearly states in the Gospel reading, “Therefore, Stay Awake!”

Sounds like it’s time to wake up and wipe away those “eye sleepers”. But, Lord, what would you have me do to stay awake?

May I suggest the practice of Lectio Divina. Lectio was first developed by the Desert Fathers around 300 AD. John Cassian brought it to the West beginning of the 5th Century. It is one of the oldest and most popular of all the forms of prayer. We Read, Reflect, Respond, and Rest.

First, we Read – Usually the Bible or other good spiritual readings. Look for a word or phrase that speaks to you.

Second, we Reflect – We make a Personal Application of the reading. “What are you saying to me, God?” We Listen prior to Responding.

Next, we Respond - Prayer is a Dialogue, not a Monologue. This is the time to have a real conversation with the Lord. Let out your feelings and your questions. What might you commit to doing as a response?

Finally, we Rest (Contemplation) - “Be Still and Know that I am God”. Fr. Chet Michael reminds us, “God respects our freedom so much, that He speaks very gently and quietly to us”.

Transformation, then, is not something we achieve. It is something that happens to us when we witness ourselves with honesty in prayer and then are healed by God. James Finley, CAC core faculty member, often talks about the paradox of will and grace in the process of transformation. He says that “transformation happens when we put ourselves in the position of least resistance to being overtaken by grace.” I like that. I like that a lot.

So, this Advent Season, let us vow “Not to Snooze, lest we Lose” the transformative power of God’s Grace as we wait in anticipation and welcome of the fullness of Christ’s coming this Christmas Season and the coming year. 

De Colores,

Tom Hook