Amid the whirlwind of holiday preparations — shopping, parties, and baking — it's easy to lose sight of the deeper meaning of Advent. Yet the Church offers us this season as a sacred invitation to pause, reflect, and ready our hearts for something profound.
What if Advent were more than just a countdown to Christmas? What if it was an opportunity for personal transformation — a season that could change your life?
Advent can be exactly that when we open our hearts to encounter Emmanuel in a new and personal way. This season calls us to invite Christ into the hidden, forgotten, or fearful corners of our lives, allowing his light, love, and healing to touch every aspect of who we are.
It’s not only about remembering Christ’s birth or anticipating his return. Advent is about welcoming him into your life today — in your relationships, struggles, and heart. This season offers a chance to:
~ Awaken from spiritual lethargy: What habits have dulled your faith?
~ Let light shine in the darkness: Where do you long for the light of Christ to illuminate the darkness in your heart?
~ Find freedom: What is holding you back, and how do you desire Jesus to set you free?
~ Experience reconciliation: What causes you to drift from Jesus, and how can you return to his loving embrace?
~ Embrace your true belonging: What does it mean to you to be part of Christ’s family of love?
~ Be nourished by the Bread of Life: Do you believe that Jesus can truly satisfy the deepest hunger of your soul?
As we journey through Advent, we can look to Mary, who humbly accepted the message of the angel: “Let it be done according to your will.” Just as God made his home within Mary, so he desires to dwell within each of us.
Imagine an angel standing before you, saying, “The Savior is to be born in you — to heal your pain, lift your burdens, and free you from what weighs you down.”
How will you respond? Will you, like Mary, offer your "yes" and allow Christ to be born anew in your heart this Advent?
For a deeper, more transformative Advent experience, explore Encountering Emmanuel: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation by Heather Khym, with beautiful illustrations by Josiah Henley of Heart of IESVS.
Enhance your journey with FREE weekly Advent video reflections featuring Khym, available on the Ave Maria Press website. Whether for personal reflection or group study, this journal is a perfect companion and is available with bulk-pricing options.
