Advent is the joyful journey to Christmas. Advent has four Sundays and the first Sunday talks about hope. St Clement of Alexandria wrote, “If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes”. Jesus is our only hope; he helps us to face fears in our lives with courage.

The second Sunday talks about light; Jesus is our light. Jesus said, “I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me should not remain in the darkness of sin and confusion”. This light of Jesus must be shown in our lives by helping others in need and denouncing sin.

The third Sunday talks about joy. St Pauls writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice, let your gentlemen be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything”. Mother Macrina, a spiritual woman, said, “You cannot acquire joy, you must find it, you must lose yourself be servant to others”.

The fourth Sunday talks about surrendering our lives and our will over to the Lord Jesus. Joy and surrender are two facets of the same jewel. Like Mary we are called to accept God’s will for us, thus becoming instruments of His love. Like Mary we can bring Jesus into the world and share Him with others. Be a cheerful giver, lift up your heart, reach out to others in a spirit of love, and live gladly, knowing that God loves you, no matter who you are.

Surely if we live these sentiments we will feel the true spirit of Christmas throughout our lives.

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