Advent – Pursuing Joy

Contrary to what some may think, or have been misguided into believing, Advent is not a season of penance! Advent is a season of devout preparation of the coming of Jesus. What should one be devout to during Advent? To being whole-heartedly committed to being joyful. Let’s understand this before we go any further. Joy is not happiness. Happiness depends on circumstances of life. When Jesus speaks of wanting us to have his joy and to have it completely, he is referring to something beyond circumstance. He is implying; know in your heart-of-hearts that God absolutely and totally loves you, just as Jesus knows the Father loves him completely.
 
Advent is celebrated not to have a Merry, Merry Christmas. Advent is celebrating the love God has for us revealed in the coming of Jesus in three ways. Yes, the coming in the Incarnation of Jesus (Nativity and all), but also presently in Word and Sacrament, and also in Jesus’ coming in the end of times. So, if Advent is the whole-hearted preparation for the coming of Jesus into our heart, then maybe we should answer this: If Jesus showed up in our life today, would there be any room for him in our schedule? If you’re anything like me then you too should think about all the yeses you’re saying that make it improbable that there is fitting space for Jesus.
 
Where does meaningful room come from? Let’s reflect on one of the beatitudes: Blessed are the pure of heart. A pure heart is the heart that makes room to love more like God. The biblical understanding is the heart is the center of the human being’s emotion, thoughts, and intentions. Scripture tells us that God looks at each human heart and knows it. Why is this so significant? This gift of life, given to us by God, ultimately comes down in the end to our ability to love and be loved. At the end of our life our heart will sum up the unity of our body and soul.
 
Jesus tells us things remain hidden from those who claim to be self-sufficient. It is dangerous to prize self-sufficiency, because it’s a fallacy to think one is independent of God. This is destructive to the human soul. Too many things of God are hidden from one trying to operate independent of Him. And there are some who may be able to talk about God in eloquent terms, but there is no room in them for God. For only a heart open to Jesus allows him to be received, and it is this person who is on the path to joy. There can be happiness without God, but there is no joy where there is absence of God. Time set aside removes absence. And the fullness of joy to be found in Advent, comes from living out the greatest commandment: to love God with all your heart.