From Father Joe: Embracing the Light - A Journey from Advent to Christmas through the Wisdom of Saints Thomas and Augustine
As we bid farewell to the contemplative season of Advent and step joyfully into the radiant celebration of Christmas, our hearts are prompted to reflect on the profound transition guided by the wisdom of Saints Thomas Aquinas and Augustine. Advent, a season of expectant waiting and preparation, readies us for the magnificent moment when we welcome the Savior into our midst. Now, as we enter the Christmas season, we are invited to immerse ourselves in the luminous light of Christ, the true source of hope, love, and joy.
Saint Thomas Aquinas, a beacon of theological insight, reminds us, "The things we love tell us what we are." Our journey through Advent, marked by prayer, penance, and patience, has been a testament to our love for the virtues represented by the Advent wreath—hope, peace, joy, and love. These virtues have been our guiding stars, leading us towards the fulfillment of God's promise in the birth of Jesus Christ.
Saint Augustine, with his profound reflections on the human experience, echoes the sentiment of Advent as a pilgrimage of the soul. "Our hearts are restless until they rest in You," he declares, encapsulating the universal longing for fulfillment found in the light of Christ. As we stand at the threshold of Christmas, let us carry the lessons of Advent into this radiant season, seeking that ultimate rest in the presence of the newborn King.
Christmas is not a mere commemoration of a historical event, but an invitation to encounter the living Christ. Saint Thomas Aquinas reminds us, "To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible." The infant in the manger is the Light of the World, illuminating our paths and dispelling the darkness of sin and despair. Christmas is an invitation to embrace this light with unwavering faith.
In the midst of festive decorations and joyous gatherings, let us not lose sight of the profound mystery we celebrate. Christmas is a time to heed Saint Augustine's wisdom, "What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy." Let us embrace the humility of the stable, where God chose to enter our world in the form of a vulnerable child, and extend hands and feet of love to those in need.
As we exchange gifts and share meals with loved ones, let us offer the gift of our hearts to the newborn King, in the words of Saint Augustine, "You made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You." Reflecting the love and compassion of Christ in our interactions, we embody the true spirit of Christmas and become, as Saint Thomas Aquinas encourages, "bearers of His light in a world that often yearns for the warmth of His love."
Concluding the season of Advent and embracing the joy of Christmas, let us carry the flame of hope, peace, joy, and love into the new year, guided by the wisdom of Saints Thomas and Augustine. The birth of Christ is not a conclusion but a new beginning—a dawn that heralds the promise of eternal life. May the light of Christ, as illuminated by these saints, guide our steps into a year filled with faith, hope, and love.
In Christ,
Fr. Joe Connelly