Other than the beautiful decorations, year end sales in shopping malls, the reason to purchase a new outfit, get a new look, opportunity to receive presents, it is also one time of the year where families have a reason to gather and celebrate. BUT what is more important here is the the real reason why Christmas Day exist. Its Jesus's birthday! We all have birthdays and on our birthdays, we hope to be the center spot of everything and Jesus deserve that spot on that very precious day. This year, I want to make Christmas even special. Its not about new clothes anymore or presents but it is about knowing the true meaning of that special day. December is also a month of Advent in the Catholic Church. Here are a passage that I read online and I think it explains really well :
The month of December is filled with expectation and celebration. Preparation is the key word for the first 24 days of December. Everyone is getting ready for Christmas — shopping and decorating, baking and cleaning. Too often, however, we are so busy with the material preparations that we lose sight of the real reason for our activity.
Christmas is a Christian feast — and we must reclaim it as such! In the same way that a family eagerly prepares for a baby, so in Advent should we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. We should keep Advent as a season of waiting and longing, of conversion and of hope and keep our thoughts on the incredible love and humility of our God in taking on the flesh of the Virgin Mary. Let us not forget to prepare a peaceful place in our hearts wherein our Savior may come to dwell.
The best person we can turn to for help during Advent is Mary, Christ's and our Mother. She awaited the day of His birth with more eagerness than any other human being. Her preparation was complete in every respect. Let's crown our preparation and borrow something of Mary's prayerfulness, her purity and whole-hearted submission to God's will.
The Advent wreath is one of the most popular symbols used by Christians during the season of Advent. These wreaths, consisting of a circle of evergreen branches set around four candles, are used in both churches and Christian homes. The evergreen circle stands for the eternal life that Christ has won for all believers. The burning candles represents the coming of Christ as the light of the world. The first candle, or the Prophet Candle, symbolizes the hope and anticipation of Christ's coming in the flesh. The second candle recalls how Christ appeared in the flesh in humble manner, being born of a virgin in the insignificant village in Bethlehem. The third candle is known as the Shepherds Candle. It recalls the rejoicing of the shepherds when they departed after having seen the Christ-child in the stable. The fourth candle is the Angels Candle. It reminds us of the heavenly host that announced the good news of our Savior's birth.
I am also reading this passage for the first time and it amazed me and give me the yearning to wanting to know more about Advent. I am so excited to walk and experience my journey to Christmas. The room are brighter, my food are tastier, the weather are better, I am definitely happier. Blessed Day..=)
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