Advent is a time of hope and anticipation. In our homes, many of us are busy preparing for Christmas, from baking to decorating to shopping. During Advent, we also prepare our hearts for Jesus' arrival. We are waiting for the birth of Christ!

For hundreds of years, Christians have used an Advent wreath to inspire their hopes for the coming of Christ. By lighting candles and reading Scripture, we are reminded about the meaning of Christ’s birth and become more excited about his coming! For more about Advent, watch Advent in 2 Minutes.

As we prepare for the coming of Christ, may this story serve to remind us of the purpose of Advent and urge us to prepare our hearts:

There was a strong woodcutter who asked for a job with a timber merchant. The wages the timber merchant paid were good and so were the work conditions. For that reason the woodcutter was determined to do his very best. His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to work. The first day the woodcutter brought 18 trees. “Congratulations!" the boss said. Very motivated by the words of the boss, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could only bring 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder but brought only 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing less and less trees. “I must be losing my strength,” the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying he could not understand what was going on. “When was the last time you sharpened your axe? The boss asked. “Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees...”

Have you been so busy that you have neglected your spiritual life? Like the axe that needs sharpening, we also need to sharpen our spirit. Let us sharpen our spirit this Advent by becoming more loving, more prayerful, more compassionate, more generous and more faithful. Advent is God’s marvelous gift to all of us.

(Reflection adapted from The First Sunday of Advent)

A Message from our school Chaplain - Mrs. Beliveau