Connected

We're back, after a long haitus.

It is the busy season again.  Already, there have been parties and parties and more parties, not to mention shopping and decorating and cooking and...It makes me tire just thinking about it.

But this is also the Advent season, the time when we prepare for the birth of Jesus, our Coming Lord.  As we prepare to welcome him, we rightly welcome friends and family into our houses, exchanging gifts, practicing hospitality.

As we go about this busy season, though, let us also rest.  Our hearts are restless until they rests in Thee, O God, said St. Augustine.  Let us rest, and not be restless, by centering our busy-ness around the God who is busy making all things new.  And, in the process, may we be made new.

Our focus should not be on trying to outdo our neighbors, flaunting the extravagances we can afford (although I certainly enjoy those types of parties).  Rather, our focus, as followers of Christ, should be on friendship and hospitality and love.  Indeed, our focus should be on extending our friendship, our hospitality, our love to those who may not receive such gifts.  The same Jesus we prepare to welcome taught us to do so.

We are connected to our God and to each other.  During Advent, think of ways to extend such wonderful connections to the disconnected, the unconnected, the ones who don't even know they are not connected.

We are preparing for the birth of Jesus.  But, remember, Just as you did to the least of these who are in my family, so you did for me, says the very same Jesus.