2nd Week of Advent: WATCH
Watch: look at or observe attentively over a period of time.
Have you ever been going somewhere and autopilot just kicked in and before you know it you’re at your destination and you’re like, wait… how did I get here? Yeah, me too.
Sometimes we are so caught up in our thoughts, our mental to-do list, listening to music, etc. that we aren’t paying attention to what we’re doing. Today’s theme is WATCH.
Watch where you’re going. It kind of can go with one of last week’s themes– focus. This Advent challenge yourself to watch and focus on what it is we’re waiting for this Christmas.
In the second reading from Mass this week, St. Peter writes,
But according to his promise
we await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you await these things,
be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
If there is fire and a mighty roar it’s a lot easier to pay attention, we wouldn’t have to discern anything because it would be obvious. But Christmas isn’t about the obvious, it’s about a baby coming into the world in a small town, in a stable, to a teenage mother and a carpenter. Nothing about that screams “Watch this!”
It’s our job to watch for the ways to prepare our hearts for Christmas, so challenge yourself this Advent to not just go through the motions, not to cruise through on autopilot; challenge yourself to watch and pay attention to the journey towards Christmas. How is God preparing you?
Written by Kristyn Russell
Kristyn Russell is a Midland native who attended St. Brigid Catholic School before heading to Jefferson and Dow High School. She holds a Master’s degree in Theology from Villanova University and a Bachelor’s degree in Theology with a minor in Communication from Aquinas College. When she’s not at work, she’s usually with her dog, Caspian, kayaking a new river, hiking through the woods, or sitting by a campfire reading a book.