Advent is the beginning of a new liturgical year. In the Cistercian tradition, Advent represents three comings of Christ. First, the historical one, in Bethlehem, when heaven came down to touch the earth. The third will be Christ’s coming in the future, at the end of all time, when we will be gathered together, in some sort of bodily form, and assumed into heaven. The second, though, is the one which should concern us the most – the coming of Christ into our hearts at this very moment.

Advent is a time when we try to open our hearts, to prepare, so to speak, a manger there into which Christ can be born. This is not simply some private practice, however. To open our hearts to Christ means to open our hearts to our families, our friends, those whom we love and those whom we do not love, whom we may even dislike.

The advent wreath is a beautiful reminder of the light that shines in the darkness, and the light that shines within us, only waiting for us to become transparent with God’s grace to give light to the world.