The Diocese of Camden’s faith leaders admit it can be challenging to prepare oneself spiritually for Christmas.
However, by engaging in prayer and fellowship and reflecting on God’s eternal promise and the lives of the saints, faithful Christians can ready their hearts for the Savior on Christmas Day.
The season of Advent, “sets the tone” for the rest of the Church year, says Father Kevin Mohan, pastor of Atlantic City’s Parish of Saint Monica. “We have to stay attentive, and as we prepare for Christmas, we have to clear space in our lives.”
One way to accomplish this feat, he says, is to prioritize activities such as helping the needy and utilizing the Sacrament of Confession. Doing these can be the best way to “welcome the Christ child.”
Father Anthony Manuppella, pastor of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, Northfield, says that during this time of year when “the saving message of Christ can be blocked out” by busyness, the faithful would do well to “concentrate on Christ and what he means to us. He left the majesty of heaven to become a little baby.”
He and parishioners share Christ in many ways during the season, he says, be it through giving food and gifts to the needy, or parish youth visiting the sick and shut-in.
“We’re witnessing to Christ, practicing what he told us, such as being charitable, loving the poor and encountering our neighbors,” he says. “That’s the real meaning of Christmas.”
In addition, he acknowledges that the 250 parish Christmas trees dotting the church lawn, lit up and decorated for the season, “make quite a statement” to the Northfield community and those just passing through.
In Lindenwold, where Father René Canales leads the faithful of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine, fervent parishioners are living their faith in action. Many prepare for Advent and Christmas through the novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe, from Dec. 2 to the Dec. 12 feast day; as well as through the posada – walking with Mary and Joseph – from Dec. 16-23.
He and parishioners know the key to spiritual Advent and Christmas seasons is dependent on “sharing our lives with others, staying focused on Jesus and following the saints,” Father Canales says.
Remembering the saints, the pastors say, can bear much fruit. During Advent and Christmas, there are many feasts of holy women and men to celebrate such as Saint Andrew, the first disciple Jesus called (Nov. 30); Saint Lucy, commemorated in the Canon of the Mass (Dec. 13); and Saint John of the Cross, Spanish mystic (Dec. 14).
“As the Church guides us, we have to stay attentive to these feast days,” Father Mohan urges. “The saints show so clearly that we have to witness to Jesus’ presence.”
In addition, though these seasons are often characterized as merry and bright, they can be difficult for those who have lost a loved one. Father Canales knows this firsthand.
A few years back, he lost his sister, brother and nephew in the same calendar year. He continues to feel sadness, he says, but these feelings are tempered with the comfort of knowing they are loved by God.
In grief, he says, “We stay the course and hold on to our hope – and onto each other – because we’re all in this together. Prepare, stay awake and be ready for the Messiah.”
Indeed, in these ever-darkening December days, Father Mohan urges all to encounter Christ’s light, and let his love burn brightly in oneself and one’s community. “As Mary and Joseph had to find physical space for Jesus to be born, that is also our quest: to make space, welcome him anew and allow him to be present in our lives.”
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