Open the Door of Your Heart

“We know that the coming of the Lord is threefold… The first coming was in flesh and weakness, the middle coming is in spirit and power, and the final coming will be in glory and majesty.” - St. Bernard of Clairvaux on the Season of Advent

Jesus Christ, knocking at the door.

​This weekend, our convent home will undergo a stark transition. The colorful autumn leaves decorating our refectory table will be replaced by an evergreen wreath with four candles. The relics of saints filling our household shrine will give way to a simple purple cloth and empty manger. Violet will clothe the tabernacle and priest during the liturgies in our chapel. 

These external signs demonstrate an interior change of spirit: Advent is here.

​The word “Advent” comes from the Latin adventus or "coming". Throughout Advent, we live in a particular way the expectation which marks our entire lives as Christians. We remember Christ’s first coming in the weakness of a little child over 2000 years ago. We anticipate His final coming in glory at the end of time. And we call to mind his daily coming in spirit especially through the Sacraments. ​

​Advent gives us a chance to make external changes to help facilitate the interior disposition of expectation and receptivity. Christ is always standing at the door of our hearts, knocking. It is our part to open the door. 

Ways to Prepare During Advent

Enter into the Advent Liturgy: Holy Mother Church gives us everything we need to prepare for Christ’s coming. Assisting at Mass on Sundays and perhaps even weekdays brings us to a personal encounter with our Emmanuel, God-with-us, in the Eucharist. Praying the Divine Office in Advent can also be fruitful. The O Antiphons are particularly beautiful. 

​Spend Time in Prayerful Reading: God’s Word in Sacred Scripture opens our hearts to receive the Word made Flesh, Jesus Christ. During Advent, the Infancy Narratives of Luke 1 & 2 and Matthew 1 & 2, as well as   Psalm 80, Psalm 89: 47-49, and Psalm 42 expressing longing and expectation are rich for meditation. 

O Antienne Clavis

Madonna with Child and Angels
​by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato

​Look to Our Lady: She is already waiting at the crib, desiring to teach us to make our hearts a pleasant manger for the Christ Child to dwell in. Meditating on the Joyful Mysteries can help us to imitate her joyful expectation.

​See the Christ Child in Everyone We Meet: “At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God’s own love and concern.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta