Christmas is a joyous time of year, marking the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. For Catholics, it’s not just about decorations, Santa Claus, and gift-giving, though these can be lovely ways to celebrate. The deeper purpose is to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. One way to do this is through prayer.
The Importance of Preparation: Advent
Before we jump to Christmas, let’s talk about the season that comes right before it: Advent. Advent is a period of four weeks leading up to Christmas. The word ‘Advent’ means ‘coming’—it’s a time when we prepare for the coming of Christ into the world and into our lives. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah…” (CCC 524). It’s like preparing your home for a very special guest, but in this case, the ‘home’ is your soul, and the ‘guest’ is Jesus Christ.
What is Prayer?
Prayer is how we talk to God. It’s how we connect with Him and listen to what He wants to tell us. “In prayer, the faithful God’s initiative of love always comes first; our own first step is always a response” (CCC 2567). That means prayer isn’t just us asking God for things; it’s also listening for His voice in our lives. It’s a two-way conversation.
The Power of Daily Prayer
Why daily prayer? Well, just like you wouldn’t only talk to your best friend once a year, it’s good to be in regular contact with God. Daily prayer helps us be more aware of God’s presence in our everyday lives and aligns us with His will.
A Simple but Powerful Daily Prayer for Advent
The best prayers are often simple but heartfelt. Here’s a simple daily prayer you might consider:
Dear Lord,
As I prepare for Your coming this Advent, cleanse my heart and make it a worthy dwelling place for You. Help me to focus on what truly matters and to share Your love with others. Amen.You can say this prayer in the morning when you wake up, in the evening before you go to bed, or any time you have a quiet moment. You can also add any personal requests or thanksgivings that you have.
Scriptural Foundation
This prayer captures the essence of two major biblical themes—preparation and love. John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, prepared the way for Him by preaching a message of repentance. “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,” John proclaimed, quoting the prophet Isaiah (Mark 1:3, ESV). This echoes the idea of preparing our hearts as a ‘dwelling place’ for Christ.
Relevance to Catholic Teaching
The prayer also aligns with the universal teaching of the Church on the importance of preparing for the coming of Christ and living a life of love and service to others. “The ‘door of faith’ (Acts 14:27) is always open for us… To enter through that door is to set out on a journey that lasts a lifetime” (CCC 1). Preparing for Christ’s coming isn’t just for Advent; it’s for our entire lives.
Make it a Family Affair
Praying as a family is a wonderful way to prepare for Christmas together. In doing so, you can explain to your kids the true meaning of the season and why it’s more than just presents and decorations. “The family is the original cell of social life. It is the natural society in which husband and wife are called to give themselves in love and in the gift of life” (CCC 2207). What better way to bond as a family than to pray together?
In Conclusion: The Transformative Power of Prayer
Incorporating this simple yet profound daily prayer into your Advent preparations can transform your experience of Christmas. It brings us back to the true meaning of the season, which is to prepare for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It’s a way of spiritually ‘tidying up’ and making space for Him in our lives. It reminds us of what’s truly important and helps us to focus on love, both God’s love for us and our love for others.
So, as we count down the days to Christmas, let’s not forget to prepare our hearts and minds through prayer. After all, Jesus Himself taught us, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13, ESV). Amen.