OPreach
Dominican Preaching through Word and Image
As Christmas Approaches, Let Us Be Attentive and Aware
I have enjoyed the writings of Edward Hays for many years. For today’s Advent reflection I have chosen a quote of his from A Pilgrim’s Almanac.
Take time to be aware that in the very midst of or busy preparations for the celebration of Christ’s birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be still, be awake to the Divine Mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet is wondrously present.
And old abbot was fond of say, “The devil is always the most active on the highest feast days.”
The supreme trick of Old Scratch is to have us so busy decorating, preparing food, practicing music, and cleaning in preparation for the feast of Christmas that we actually miss the coming of Christ. Hurt feelings, anger, impatience, injured egos – the list of clouds that busyness creates to blind us to the birth can be long, but it is familiar to us all.
OPreach 
Happy Birthday Sister Pat! Many Blessings to you.
Thank you!!!! What a great day it is to be alive! Thank you for the gift of your friendship!! 😉
Happy Birthday Pat…hoping that you have a wonderful day! Shelley Grant,cnd
Thank you, Shelley. It was great seeing you last week!! Till February . . .
Happy Birthday, opreach….
Thank you, Rexlin. It was a fine day!
We (really meaning me!) often take pride in our busyness – as a sign (actually an illusion) of our worth and productivity. I wonder sometimes if busyness is a modern version of sloth.
Advent blessings,
Mike+
Thank you, Mike, for your comment. I think you are right. I know that I can keep myself very busy with “trivial” stuff, and keep myself from doing the important things.