December 21

December 21
Christ as Oriens (Radiant Dawn, Dayspring)
Isaiah 9:2, Malachi 4:1-3

This sure is a season of light huh? LED, flashing, twinkling, blinking, glowing, icicle like. We use terms of light to describe lots of things: “A smile that lights up a room…An attitude that chases away darkness…A vibrant personality…A glowing report.”

I want to be lit up this Advent and Christmas—and I am not talking about the kind of lit up from my brother in law’s Apple Pie Moonshine (although it is yummy). No, I want the light of Christ, the Son of Justice to light me up. And the Light of Justice will reveal all.

Let it all be revealed I say; I want to be illuminated. I would rather see it now; it–the sin, bad habits and faults that keep me so far from God. I want to see deep down in the crevices that hide my sin and the dark recesses that conceal my faults and the gray, tangled, cob-webs of vice accumulating in the corners. These can only be seen if I’m filled with the light of Christ…or the flames of Purgatory. Um, I choose the Light of Christ, how ’bout you?

But that’s a part of any preparation isn’t it? Bringing everything into the light to get a good once over. The cleaning and clearing, making room for something better. Getting rid of the unused, the ugly…basically the junk. And so we drag it out and examine it in the light. ”Yes, this has to go,” we may declare as we look at it from all sides. Or, we may decide it can stay, but we clean it up and use it differently.

Let’s take a good look and see what needs to be tossed to the curb and what can stay, but used differently. I’m talking physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Let’s take a great big inventory, digging deep, asking ourselves the hard questions, holding ourselves up in the Light. And once the inventory is completed, if there is sin, let’s confess it and get it out of there…for good. Let’s end the old year and start the new year off as clean and shiny as possible. I figure the less sin and bad habits cluttering my soul, the more room for the Love of Christ.

Jesus has already come once in the dark, only to be told there was no room…I do not want to be the one to say it this time.

St Martha...Pray for Us

Catholic Woman's Almanac {CWA}

December 9

13 Comments

Valerie December 21, 2012

Jenny, Your Advent posts have been like a mini-retreat for my soul. I’ve really trying to make *more room* in this cluttered heart of mine – to let the Light of Christ shine. God’s grace to your days…
Valerie recently posted..~ Christmas Oblation ~

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- Jenny December 22, 2012
  
  Oh Valerie how kind of you. I am pleased to have you here at Suscipio. All for the glory of God my friend!
  Jenny recently posted..December 20
  
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Michelle December 21, 2012

Don’t forget to let light shine on your good qualities this Advent ~ and especially when you look in the mirror!

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- Jenny December 22, 2012
  
  Absolutely! Thank you for the reminder Michelle for greater is He Who lives in us than he who lives in the world.
  Jenny recently posted..December 19
  
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Angela Pea December 21, 2012

I’ll take light over flames any day, Jenny!

I love love love today’s reflection – its timing for the attitude in my life right this moment is perfect. Thank you a hundred times!
Angela Pea recently posted..Sweet Shot Tuesday – December 11

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- Jenny December 22, 2012
  
  Blessed Advent and Merry Christmas to you my friend Angela. Let’s shine the light of Christ shall we and avoid the flames.
  Jenny recently posted..December 17
  
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Theresa December 21, 2012

Oh…so wonderful this post…although my inventory will be much longer than my Christmas list (winks). Sometimes, I don’t know where to start. There is SO MUCH glaring at me in the face that it’s overwhelming.

I found a good examination of conscience at Catholic Parents that even goes into imperfections: http://catholicparents.org/oxcart/Examination%20of%20Conscience.pdf

If you know of any others that help one to go a little *deeper* (into the crevices)…please share!
Theresa recently posted..Christmas is the Feast of Silence

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- Jenny December 21, 2012
  
  I’ll go look at that one Theresa, thanks. One of my daughters recently asked me to find her an examination of conscience that was appropriate for children her age. She’s 12…too big for a little kid one, but scandalized by adult ones when they get into the 6th and 9th Commandment. I found these and she and I both agreed they look very good.
  
  http://www.familyland.org/content/Content.aspx?CategoryID=636
  Jenny recently posted..December 14
  
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- Tina December 21, 2012
  
  Thanks for the links. A nightly exam has gotten away from me and I have it on my goals for 2013.
  
  I will check this out. Thank you!
  Tina recently posted..Poem for Newtown
  
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  - Tina December 21, 2012
    
    I wasn’t able to find the one at CPO but did peek at this from USCCB.
    
    http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments/penance/examination-conscience-in-light-of-catholic-social-teaching.cfm
    Tina recently posted..Poem for Newtown
    
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    - Theresa December 21, 2012
      
      Sorry Tina…I found a linke for all three examinations: http://www.catholicparents.org/examination_of_conscience.html
      
      Hopefully it will work.
      
      @ Jenny~love the link you shared. Printed one on interior life for myself and one of the young adult/teen for my 17 year old daughter.
      Theresa recently posted..Christmas is the Feast of Silence
      
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Samantha December 21, 2012

Now my list of things to do just changed priorities. this could take all day…

I love the last night…He is always within me… do I want to give my Lord a dark place to stay?! No…actually that is a horrible thought.

Good one Jenny before the New Year. Time to start the clean slate.

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- Samantha December 21, 2012
  
  that was not to be last ‘night’ it was to be last ‘line’….i wrote before i finished one a day coffee…still thinking of night and sleep! LOL funny how our brain does that…
  
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