11/11/21

       As I was leaving a recent meeting with my spiritual director, he called out to me as he was getting in his car.  “Next time, I want to hear about what your Advent calendar looks like.”   As the car door closed, with no opportunity to ask for clarification, I started pondering his question.  Okay, let’s be completely honest—I panicked.  My Advent calendar?  Did he forget to include “daughter” in there?  That’s something for kids.  I have not had an Advent calendar in decades.  Turns out they do make Advent calendars for adults, but I don’t think he is expecting to hear about Lego Star Wars min-figures or alcoholic beverages.   What does my Advent calendar look like?
     There are plenty of secular activities that can fill up our calendars during the season of Advent.  Shopping for Christmas gifts is one that particularly comes to mind this year especially with all the news about supply chain problems.  There may not be many options to choose from for those first visiting stores on December 24th.   My wife does not fall into that category.  To this day, I continue to frustrate her on this topic because I am never ready to start thinking about Christmas shopping when she does—in September!  This is not because Julie is an organized planner—oh boy, is she ever.  No, it is because Julie wants to pick out just the right gift, something that will bring joy to the person receiving it. 
      I will speak from experience and promise you this is not possible if you wait too long to start looking.   Now, I am not a December 24^th shopper, but there have been many occasions when I just start my Christmas shopping for Julie after Thanksgiving only to find that my options are limited.  I am not quite sure what to get her that will bring real joy.  I have a great idea, but it will not arrive in time.  What did Julie mention a few months ago…it was the perfect gift…I just can’t remember what it was.   I would ultimately resort to her Amazon wish list, and inevitably, on Christmas, would be somewhat saddened when I realized that the thought and planning that Julie put into picking out my Christmas gift far exceeded what I had done for her.   Julie was always grateful for whatever I did get her and it never impacted our love or relationship.  Yet, each Christmas, I would find myself wanting to put more effort into her gift next year. 
No one puts more thought into a Christmas gift than God.   He knew what he was going to give us for Christmas from the very beginning of time.   God’s gift to us is pretty awesome.  But, what are you giving God for Christmas?  What do you give someone who has everything?  Even if you could figure out how to wrap a mountain, I think God has plenty of those already.   How do you respond to God’s gift—his love, mercy, forgiveness, his very self in the person of Jesus?   Forget September, you need to start thinking about what you’re giving God for Christmas in January!
     There is one thing that God wants more than anything.  He gives us hints of this throughout the year if we only pay attention.  God wants you for Christmas.    He wants to have a personal intimate relationship with you.   It’s all there in one of my favorite scripture passages, Isaiah Chapter 43.  “I have called you by name: you are mine. … Because you are precious in my eyes and glorious, and because I love you.”  God is gently calling you to himself out of love.  He will give us everything if only we put our trust in him. 
      This is why the rich man goes away sad when Jesus tells him to sell all he has and follow him.  He chooses his Christmas gift for God from God’s Amazon wishlist.  In fact, he picks out multiple gifts for God—he follows all the commandments.  But God wants something deeper than this.  The rich man’s wealth puts him in complete control of his life.  He doesn’t need anyone or anything.  He thinks he has it all including independence.  That is what he really does not want to give up—his independence more so than his possessions.  Building a relationship with God means being humble, turning control of your life over to God, and putting your own will and desires aside so God can fill you with his love and grace.  It requires sacrifice and trust.  God himself has made the greatest sacrifice to give us his gift of self.  Why should we not do the same?  It’s the best gift to give to God and exactly what He wants! 
Giving yourself to God for Christmas seems simple.  You don’t need to navigate through a crowded shopping mall.  No worries about shipping delays and the item is always in stock.  Best of all, if you gave God that gift before, he will be just as happy to receive it again this year.  But we still need to think about exactly what giving ourselves to God really means.        Do you want to shop from God’s Amazon Wishlist—attend Mass every Sunday and follow the commandments?  Or do you want to put thought into your specific gift to God, go beyond the wishlist and bring him great joy?  Advent is the perfect time to figure that out that.
      My advent calendar is now filled with little ways in which I can give myself more fully to God.  Extra time in prayer, acts of service and love.  Quiet time to listen to God so I can grow in my relationship with Him.   It also includes “Adore” the guided Advent mediation book that is available through St. Joseph Parish’s Adult Faith Formation.   This resource is available to you too.  It is filled with short daily reflections that will help you focus a little more on God each day and figure out exactly what you are getting him for Christmas.    So, what will your Advent calendar look like?