They say Christmas is Christ’s birthday, but the living Jesus is rarely included in the festivities. It’s such an odd birthday celebration. It tends to either ignore Jesus or portray Him as a helpless infant. (To frequently portray a famous person as a baby doesn’t seem like a compliment.)

Advent?
God sent
Jesus,
Not to be
An annual event,
But a daily reality.

If Jesus isn’t
Actively living in me,
Advent is just
Empty liturgy.

Jesus’ intent
Wasn’t to start
Annual celebrations
Of Advent,
But to change hearts.

The “baby Jesus”
Who is the focus
Of Advent
Is the same Jesus
Who calls us to repent.

I always found religious candles and formal talks about Advent to be boring, but the living Jesus continually sets my heart ablaze! Get beyond the babe. Activate the living, resurrected Jesus in your heart!