In 1 Corinthians 1:4-5, St. Paul writes: “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind." St. Paul uses these incredible words to start us on another Advent season.  For you see, in Advent we remember the special gift we “have been given in Christ Jesus.”  In Advent--we recall that because of this special gift of Christ Jesus, we have a grand destination- to be with Christ Jesus for all eternity

St. Paul’s words put us all at the starting gate with all the preparation we need.  His words remind us that God’s grace and blessings are already ours.  Then he adds with firmness and vigor for the Corinthians--and for each of us this advice--“Live as if we realize it.”  In other words let our hearts know it and our lives show it.

St. Paul wants us to use these present moments preparing for Christ’s final coming now and not waste them worrying about what we didn’t do.  How many past Advents have we stumbled at the starting gate because we were fearful of our lost opportunities and, as such, then never left the starting gate?  We can make this Advent a special time to focus on this present time.  Christ is not in those lost Advents where nothing happened.  Rather, Christ is alive and well in this current one.

As important, and as we all know, it’s how we live in God’s presence every day and mirror it to others that counts.  Like a marathon, which is finished one step at a time; our journey to heaven is only accomplished in one present moment at a time.  Advent is the season that gets us moving once again.

Yes, indeed Advent brings home the real gift of Christmas, i.e., in Christ Jesus we have been “enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind."  St. Paul tells us again that Christ is the real reason for the season!

So--Get on your Mark! Get Set! Go!