December 02, 2020
by Mary Clifford Morrell
Now that December is here, we may find ourselves acutely aware of time, how much or how little we have in light of how much we need to accomplish before Christmas arrives.
Our focus is on linear time, clicking forward second by second without a pause, keeping our sights forever on the future, and in the process of keeping time, we often lose our ability to live in the present.
Maybe that is why I love the moments when I can stop to make a cup of tea. It is something I learned from my mom as a child. However, I learned the best way to drink my tea from an unexpected find in a used book store tucked away in the Pennsylvania mountains. “Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the whole earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future,” shared Buddhist teacher Thich Nat Hahn.
Of course, not every cup of tea can be sipped in this fashion. My oldest grandson loves to tease me every time I brew some tea by asking, “Do you think you will drink this cup before it gets cold?” Predictably, it is always cold when I finish, unless they have all gone to bed for the night.
But when I can drink my tea slowly and reverently and allow myself to be absorbed in the present moment, I also find any feelings of stress or anxiety slip away, balanced by a sense of peace.
Sacred time has the feel of those moments of absorption. Being mindful of the sacredness of time encourages us to be mindful of God and nurtures awareness.
Engaging in the rituals of our faith, surrounded by sacred symbols drawn from our ordinary lives – bread, wine, water, oil, flame – reassures us that all of life is sacred. The rhythm of the liturgical year reminds us that life must have a meaningful rhythm, as well.
With Advent the season of expectant waiting and watching for Jesus, as well as marking the beginning of a new liturgical year, it offers a meaningful opportunity to move out of linear time for a while and reflect on the sacred; to create quiet spaces in each day, to pray for peace for ourselves, our families, and others; to recall what this period of time might have been like for Mary and Joseph as they also watched and waited for the birth of Jesus, and consider what it all means for us some 2,000 years later.
This year has been complicated and full of stress, anxiety, changes, and, often, insurmountable challenges. Advent is a perfect time to try and step away, if only for a few moments, from the struggles and anxiety and rest in God.
On the first Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis reminded us, “Advent is the season for remembering the closeness of God who came down to dwell in our midst.”
The Holy Father also encouraged us to include among our prayers the traditional Advent prayer: ‘Come, Lord Jesus.’ “We can say it at the beginning of each day and repeat it often, before our meetings, our studies, our work, making decisions, and in every important or difficult moment of our lives: ‘Come, Lord Jesus.’”
Mary Regina Morrell is a Catholic journalist, author, and syndicated columnist who has served the dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton, New Jersey, and RENEW International in the areas of catechesis and communication.