Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths
Luke 3:4
"Watch out it could be a bumpy ride!" That is from a 3-2-1 Penguins children's animated cartoon where these three hilarious penguins get into all kinds of trouble trying to help someone else. As we are counting the days to Christmas are we expecting a "bumpy ride"? This third week of Advent is the "pink week". On an Advent wreath, the pink candle reminds us that Christmas is near, and as Catholics, we go to Confession and God renews us, and gives us a new outlook. As we prepare for Christmas, we can get stressed if we lose sight of the reason for Christmas. Many of us plan the meals, and we will be sure to have all our gifts ready. Our homes are one way we prepare, but not the only way that we can "prepare" for the celebration of the birth of Christ.
I recently met a man who told me that he is a "lapsed Catholic". And yet, he told me, for some years now, he hosts what he calls an "Orphan's Christmas dinner". He cooks and invites his neighbors, who otherwise would be alone, for a meal on Christmas day. They sometimes ask if they can bring a dish to share, but they don't have to bring anything. He talked in detail about the meal and how he cooks the meat for the main course. It was evident he took great effort and many hours to prepare this meal and afternoon. So wait, I'm thinking, hmmm, he seeks out the alone, the lonely, and the perhaps forgotten, doesn't expect anything in return, and invites them for a meal. Lapsed or no, whatever he calls himself, that is an example of true charity.
It can be a bumpy ride when we plan to have the "perfect Christmas dinner". So it is also important that we remember to seek to draw closer to Jesus, who came into the world to save us from sin and evil, and who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It may be a bumpy ride, but buckle in because it's worth it.
