Advent is primarily a time that should prepare our hearts, to make a living experience, full of gratitude and admiration, of Jesus.

By Fr. Dennis Doren, LC.

Advent is a special time, not only because of external preparations such as decorations, gifts I have to buy or am buying. Advent is primarily a time that should prepare our hearts, to make a living experience, full of gratitude and admiration, of Jesus, the Son of God, who comes to dwell among us, who comes to stay and live with us. This celebration should lead us to a true experience of Love, because Christmas is Love. It is God’s Love that decides to become one of us and bring us forgiveness and Peace. How not to live Christmas with its true meaning? How to avoid being distracted by decorations, gifts, the clothes I need to wear these days, etc.? Live these preparatory days with your eyes fixed on Bethlehem, that simple and warm cave, which once again wants to open its doors to us to let us pass and give us a little of what is inside—Love. Much love. I share with you this story of a lady, a lady like you, who in these days is busy buying and buying.

I was in San Francisco, a few weeks before Christmas.

The stores were already starting to look colorful, full of lights, trees with shiny ornaments, mechanized nativity scenes that brought the birth of Baby Jesus to life.

After shopping, crowds eagerly waited for buses and streetcars at the end of the afternoon, to return home.

Almost everyone was carrying piles of packages of various shapes and sizes, and the fatigue was so great that I began to wonder if the countless friends and relatives truly deserved those gifts and all the sacrifice.

That was not the spirit of Christmas I desired and believed in.Finally, I was literally pushed into a crowded streetcar.

The thought of remaining there uncomfortable, poorly seated, with the packages weighing down and slipping from my arms, until I reached home, became unbearable. I would give anything for a seat.

As some people got off, I managed to breathe better and began to observe the other passengers.

I saw a small boy, with a bright smile, pulling on a lady’s blouse sleeve and asking: – Do you want to sit?

Carrying part of his packages, he led her to the nearest empty seat, and then went in search of another tired person.

So, a coveted seat appeared, and that boy quickly pushed himself through the human mass to find a lady loaded with packages and took her to the seat.

Finally, when I felt that fragile little hand on my sleeve, I was completely captivated by the boy.

He took my hand and with a smile I will never forget, said, taking part of my packages: – Come with me.

I barely had time to thank him, as he was already leaving to find someone else to help.

The streetcar passengers, who generally traveled looking forward and avoiding neighbors’ gazes, began to exchange smiles.

A young lady commented to me about her tiredness, and three people got off at the same time to take one of her packages that fell to the ground.

Soon, people were talking. That boy had really changed the tense and tired atmosphere in some way.

All of us felt wrapped in a faint feeling of warmth, and the remaining journey passed with serenity and pleasure.

I did not see the boy get off. When I looked, he was no longer there.

When I arrived at my stop, I jumped off the streetcar, stepping on clouds, and even sincerely wished the driver a “Merry Christmas”.

For the first time, I noticed how beautifully illuminated my street’s houses were, and I thought about gathering the neighbors for tea before the end of the year.

I felt good with the world, happy with the gifts I bought and with the joy they would bring to the people I would give them to.

And suddenly, Christmas ceased to be a stressful celebration of consumption, to acquire its true meaning. A moment of Peace, Joy, and much Love, because I understood that this Love was what Jesus came to give us every December 24th.

Once again, it was a child who, with his gesture of love, announced our true vocation: TO LOVE.

Enjoy this Christmas, remember that if we celebrate the birth of Jesus, it is to thank God for His presence, His love, and above all, the great Love He has left in the hearts of each of us.