A Table for Two
“Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42)
“Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42)
Today we begin Advent, a period of preparation and anticipation of the second coming as well as Christ’s arrival on Christmas. Approaching this period with the right mindset instead of simply “waiting around” is key. A couple of years ago, inspired by an Instagram post, I wrote an Advent poem.
I’ll let a shortened version be my words for today’s reflection:
Advent’s not a waiting room; it’s a table for two
A meal with the Prince who prepared it for you
There are no magazines that are three issues old
There’s a love and a knowing worth more than gold
He eats with you there as you laugh and converse
And if you just listen He reminds you your worth
It’s an invitation to go ever-deeper with him
So that you’re ready for Christmas to begin
He comes as a child niched in a cave
You can’t fear a baby, so be not afraid
A hardened heart cannot receive the King
So, Advent shapes you, it’s a beautiful thing
Nothing but love fills the eyes of Christ
For being welcomed in your heart is His greatest prize
It’s not enough to simply wait
Your heart must become His dwelling place
It needs warmth like a candle with a light that glows
A place for the Family to call their home
Know and be known and above all else
Love and be loved by Love Himself
This meal draws you close if you allow Him in
Make your heart a room in the inn
Yes, there is waiting and yes, work to do
It’s not a waiting room but rather a table for two
How can you prepare for Jesus to come on Christmas? How can you prepare for Jesus to return in the second coming?
Lord, I want to be ready to receive you this Christmas. Please help me to prepare my heart to welcome you. Amen
Brittany DeHaan grew up in San Antonio, Texas and attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for college. She taught at a Catholic elementary school in Iowa for a year before moving to Florida in 2021. She taught at St. Paul Catholic School in St. Petersburg for two years before joining the pastoral center where she is currently the Communications Coordinator. She is passionate about her faith and loves to be involved in the diocese. She loves music, art, playing sports, and livestreaming GeoGuessr in her free time.
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