Thoughts from a Disciple - Dec. 2, 2016 (by Francis Jerome Santos)

A Meaningful Advent

​Advent, a season of the year when we already feel that Christmas is just around the corner. Many of us are already thinking of our Christmas Parties, what will be the theme of the celebration, buying new clothes, gatherings  but with all our busy minds do we still remember the true essence of the season?

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Just recently, I was given the chance to preach in our prayer group and my topic was about Advent and my preparation helped me to reflect deeper on what the celebration is all about. I’ve learned that this season is not about merry making but also about fasting as a way of preparing for the coming of the Lord. The celebration is a time for us to reflect on our lives and also a time to come back to God. It is a new beginning for us that whatever sins that we committed we can go back to him and start again.
 
Life can be hard at times and can be frustrating. You can be a working person that struggle from the task at work that you cannot master, a student who needs to pass a project, maybe you have a conflict with your friend or maybe you are a person who wants to have a change of career. Whatever it is that you are experiencing, why not use this time to reflect on where are you in your life? Are you going in the right direction? What kind of person you are? Are you a person for others or just for yourself?
 
 
More than the happy events that we are looking forward to Advent is a time of the year of re-examining ourselves. A time of the year when we go back to the source, a time of the year when we stop and hear the things not only our minds are telling us but also our hearts. 
 
Let this Advent Season be the start of a brand new you so when December 25 comes you will be able to accept Jesus whole heartedly in your hearts. He is the Prince of Peace who gives us hope amidst the challenges that will come our way. When we put Jesus as the star of the season we will have not only a merry Christmas but also a meaningful one. Let Jesus be the very special gift that we can give to ourselves and to others.

​Advance Merry Christmas every one!

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Francis Jerome G. Santos- a disciple of Verbum Dei Community Luzon. 
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He met the community last 2009. He graduated BS Psychology and works as an HR practitioner. 
He enjoys writing inspirational write-ups and hopes to be able to inspire others to live in the right path and be closer to God.

You can contact Francis at [email protected]