IN FOCUS OUR SUNDAY VISITOR ADVENT NOVEMBER , 11 EXPECTING A MIRACLE Advent by the Nativity scene Shutterstock Prepare for the coming of Christ each week this season by reflecting on the mystery of the manger By Susan M. Erschen tion of Christmas itself. Yet, Nativity scenes were unheard of until Advent is perhaps the most challenging liturgical season for St. Francis set up the first one in a cave outside of Greccio, Italy, in Christians. e secular world has kidnapped this time intended for 1223. quiet reflection and turned it into a time of premature celebration. Because St. Francis was afraid his idea might be too radical, he During Advent, we spend four weeks trying to balance ourselves. petitioned Pope Honorius III for permission to re-create the scene Like standing in the middle of a seesaw, we oen have one foot in of our Lord’s birth. His goal was to remind people of the poverty the materialistic world of gis, decorating and parties, while the into which Christ chose to be born. He felt the faithful were miss- other foot is in the spiritual world of prayerfully expecting the mir- ing the message of the Gospel because they were too enmeshed in acle of Christ’s birth. materialism. Sound familiar? A Christmas tradition started by St. Francis may help us keep our We may be able to keep our balance a little better this Advent focus more on the coming miracle than the latest sales. By choos- by focusing on the rich symbolism of the Nativity scene. Inspir- ing the name of Francis, our Holy Father has called the world to ing words from Pope Francis, weekly Scripture readings and simple pay more attention to the beloved saint from Assisi, who taught us prayers can also help us find new ways to make this season of Ad- to live simply and care for the poor. One way St. Francis reminded vent a time of prayerful preparation, mercy, joy and expectation. us of our Lord’s kinship with the poor was through the Nativity scene. We may think the Nativity scene is as ancient as the celebra- Susan M. Erschen writes from Missouri. 12 NOVEMBER , IN FOCUS OUR SUNDAY VISITOR 13 Week 1: Week 2: Week 3: PREPARATION MERCY JOY “Prepare your hearts to receive Jesus the Savior.” “ e Church is a house of joy” “All of us are asked to obey (Christ’s) call to go — Pope Francis, General Audience, Nov. 27, 2013 — Pope Francis, Angelus message, Dec. 15, 2013 forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30, 2014 ird Sunday of Advent, Dec. 14, 2014 Readings for this week all the ‘peripheries’ in need of the light of the Gospel.” Readings for this week Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7 | Ps 80:2-3,15-16,18-19 | 1 Cor 1:3-9 | Mk 13:33-37 Is 61:1-2a,10-11 | Lk 1:46-50,53-54 | 1 es 5:16-24 | Jn 1:6-8,19-28 — Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (“ e Joy of the Gospel”), Nov. 24, 2013 IDEAS FOR BETTER PREPARATION Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 7, 2014 IDEAS FOR GLORIOUS JOY Readings for this week ◗ Place a small votive light in the manger as a remind- Is 40:1-5,9-11 | Ps 85:9-14 | 2 Pt 3:8-14 | Mk 1:1-8 ◗ Look how Pope Francis spreads joy with a smile, er of the spark of Christ that is already in our hearts. a hug or a warm word. We can give that same gift of Pray before the empty stable, asking Jesus to show you joy to every person we meet this Advent. If we just make where your life may be empty. Ask him how new hope IDEAS FOR GENTLE MERCY an extra e ort to be kind, complimentary, caring or ap- and peace can be born within you. preciative to the overworked, overtired retail employees, ◗ Let’s start with those closest to home. Is there a way the frazzled co-workers in the elevator, the surly aid in ◗ Sit before the empty manger with a pen and pa- we can show extra kindness and compassion to those the nursing home or the lonely person in our parish, we per. Ask our Lord to help you plan ways to simplify your whom we prefer to ignore in our lives? Look closely at the can help them feel joy. Every person we meet has some Christmas celebration. shepherds in your Nativity scene. Is it possible they rep- goodness in them. If we can fi nd it and remind them of resent someone God is calling you to wrap in kindness it, we can give them joy. And surprisingly, we will feel our ◗ Pick at least one way to free up some time and this Advent? own joy in making someone else feel good. Best of all, it money that you usually spend on the secular aspects Shutterstock does not cost a thing! of Christmas. Divert these resources to more spiritual The shepherds and their sheep ◗ Pope Francis, in a May address to the United Na- preparation. You might decide to stop some of the ex- e shepherds who slept in the fi elds are an ex- tions Chief Executives Board, encourages us to “... ◗ Take time to be grateful. In the second reading for cessive gift giving, cut out some of the decorating or sim- ample of the people Pope Francis is referring to give back generously and lavishly whatever we may the third week of Advent, St. Paul gives us a formula for DesignPics plify entertaining plans. when he says we must reach out to all who live on have earlier unjustly refused to others.” To give back Christian living: “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. the peripheries. Who are the shepherds in our lives lavishly to the poor we must adopt them as one of our In all circumstances give thanks ...” Joy fl ows naturally The empty manger ◗ Discuss ideas for simplifying Christmas with family whom we push to the periphery? Who have we own children. We could level out our distribution of gifts into our lives when we take time to pray and be grateful. Pope Francis tells us to prepare our hearts to and friends so all will be prepared for a change this chosen to alienate or ignore? Who is the outcast in this year if we gave the poor the same amount we spend When we are caught up in the busy commercial aspects Shutterstock receive Jesus. But let’s be honest, it is diffi cult to year. You may be surprised to discover you have been our neighborhood, place of work, family, parish or on just one person who is most special to us. of Christmas, we may not feel much like rejoicing, pray- imagine what a heart ready to receive Jesus should wasting lots of Advent energy on holiday activities that circle of friends? Who is the one we feel is too an- Angels on high ing or giving thanks. Yet, if we follow St. Paul’s advice to look like. So let’s begin by looking at the simple really are not necessary or appreciated. Many people are gry, boastful, boring, whiny, backward or diffi cult ◗ Could you budget the same amount for gifts to the One of the reasons Pope Francis is so admired give prayerful thanks to God, we will discover we have manger that received Jesus so many years ago. is happy to cut out gift-giving traditions or excessive par- to like? Advent calls us to pay attention to them. poor as you budget for gifts for one of your own chil- around the world is because of his constant joy. By many reasons for rejoicing. year, consider making the Nativity scene the fi rst ties and feasting. Not only have we pushed some people to the pe- dren, even if it means giving less to your own children? his words and his example, he tells us the Church and most important Christmas decoration to grace ripheries in our own lives, but the world has pushed should be a place of joy. It follows that we, as mem- ◗ End each Advent night by writing a simple thank- your home. If possible, fi nd a new place of honor for ◗ Those who celebrate Christmas with children entire cultures, nationalities and countries to the ◗ Could you divide your gift budget for a loved one bers of the Church, should also be people of joy. e you prayer of gratitude to God. This is a wonderful your Nativity set. Try not to hide it under the tree, might want to check out the St. Nicholas Center on- peripheries, forcing millions of people to live in un- and send half the money to a charity in that person’s angels who hover over the manger came to bring way to remind ourselves of all the blessings and joys we where it will eventually be buried by presents. In- line at stnicholascenter.org. It can help change your im- necessary poverty. e fi rst reading for this week name? joy. As Luke writes, “Do not be afraid: for behold, have in our lives. We realize we already have more than stead, place it on a mantle, a hutch or a small table age of Santa Claus. By concentrating on the di erence reminds us Advent is a time to show mercy to all I proclaim to you good news of great joy.” Are our enough for which to thank God.