Ah, the joy of Advent. 

Even though I am writing this reflection before the season starts, the first reading is sort of like being a kid again and catching that first breath of ocean air and knowing that you’re almost to your vacation destination.  Through the toil and tumult and messiness of our lives comes again and again the Christmas season to remind us that we are a saved people. 

Whose spirits can be failed to be lifted by that thought?  The Lord is coming again to save us.  To make the way safe for our journey, to mend our broken hearts and ways if we will just Him do so.  It all so reminds me of my favorite of the classic Christmas television shows, the original “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” when at the end the Grinch comes to the realization that “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!”  So out with the Grinchiness in our souls to make way for the Christmas season.