Dr. Helen Titilola OLOJEDE

Happy new liturgical year! These four weeks of Advent, marking the beginning of the Church year, offer us a precious opportunity to reflect deeply on the traditions of this season by contemplating themes of hope, peace, love, and joy. While different Christian communities may observe Advent in various ways, the heart of this season remains constant: the joyful anticipation of Jesus' arrival. The word "Advent" itself means "arrival" and captures the beginning of something significant or the approach of an important figure. Across the world, Christian communities use Advent as a time to remember and reflect on Christ's humble arrival on Earth, pondering the unexpected circumstances of his birth in a manger, while also looking forward with hope to his promised return to unite Heaven and Earth.

 

How can we prepare for greater holiness during Advent?

Make time for confession – Whether you have already been to confession before Advent began or find yourself somewhere in the middle of this season, taking the time to receive the sacrament of reconciliation brings us precious graces that are especially meaningful during Advent. Throughout this season, the Church gently invites us to embrace repentance, helping us to understand the profound importance of confession. Consider making confession a priority for yourself and your family during these weeks. It's worth remembering that no matter how small or insignificant we might think our failings are, sin is sin, and we all fall short from time to time.

Ask God to help you draw closer to Him – So many concerns weigh on us as the year draws to a close, and these can easily prevent us from keeping our focus on God during Advent: expectations that haven't been met, the complexities of December family gatherings, and the pressures of financial worries. This is truly a time when we need to turn to God for help, asking him to lift us beyond our immediate concerns and draw us nearer to him. Don't hesitate to ask for His help in this.

Make space for silence – Our world is noisy, and honestly, so are our Churches. We're all quite familiar with the litany of prayers, the steady hum of music, the steady hum of technology, phones ringing, notifications buzzing, and the constant flow of conversations that fill our daily lives. It's tempting to point fingers and assign blame for all this noise, but often, we find that we're part of the problem too. Living in this world doesn't simply mean being surrounded by noise; it can also mean that we ourselves contribute to it. While we may not be able to completely remove ourselves from the busyness and distractions around us, being intentional about creating moments of silence is an essential part of a meaningful Advent. So, let Advent be a time to be purposeful about embracing silence in your daily life.

Spend more time in prayer – Be more thoughtful and intentional about prayer during this Advent season. As we know, Advent is often thought of as a mini-Lent because of its reflective and penitential character. Like Lent, it's an ideal season to deepen our prayer life. Consider praying throughout the day, weaving it into the fabric of your daily routine.