Preparedness

- Deacon Norbert Gaudet - Raymore, RC Church

December 14, 2025

Am I preparing for the coming of family or travelling to family or for vacation? What do I need to prepare? If at home probably – food, sleeping arrangements, cleaning and tidying, and activities to do. If to family probably - packing, dependant on weather, distance, how many days, etc. If on vacation probably, deciding on destination, cost, and packing, dependant again on anticipated weather, # of days, etc.

Regardless of anyone's plan, we must remember the real reason we have Christmas holidays, the arrival of Christ in our lives. Our society makes it so easy to forget this. Advent from Latin means “the coming”. Who's coming? Jesus, of course. Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of Jesus. Also, to prepare for His second coming because we are not eternally on earth.

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Preparing our hearts for Jesus in our life can be similar to preparing for family and/or travelling. May I suggest the following:

• We all need spiritual food as well as regular food. Take time each day to read and focus on one line of Scripture and ask “What is Jesus telling me?”
• We all need some tidying and cleaning of our hearts just like our houses. Take time to reflect on the shadowy aspect of your life and ask for forgiveness from our merciful and compassion God. Add a conscious plan to do better.
• We all need God's guidance and wisdom as well as relaxation, sun and rest. Take time to sit in silence, to absorb the Lord's message to you.
• We all need to help one another as well as activities for our own enjoyment. Take time to spread the light of Christ by helping the needy, giving to the food bank, giving supplies to the homeless, doing a good deed every day, visiting the ill, lonely, etc.

Hope these suggestions help you to prepare for Christmas. Remember to include Jesus in your preparedness.