November 30, 2025
During Advent, you should prepare yourself for the gifts Jesus will give you. Yes, it’s true. So be ready. Start out by saying this simple prayer every morning: “Lord, let me recognize your personal love for me today in my life.” Then, at night while you’re lying in bed, review your day and look for evidence of his love. The results will quickly be apparent.
Do you remember the disappointment you had as a kid when you didn’t get what you wanted? We still have that sentiment as adults, probably because we always want more, but when we get it, the satisfaction is fleeting. We’ve all had that experience because we live in a society that believes possessions, popularity and prestige are the secrets to happiness and self-fulfillment. That’s a tough mindset to overcome.
However, Jesus is an incomparable gift-giver, and you’ll be more excited, wondering what he’ll give you than what your family or friends will. So while you’re lying in bed, thinking about your day and worrying about the day ahead, review everything that happened. When you do, you’ll discover Jesus is sending you gifts.
Maybe your kids text-messaged you after weeks of not hearing from them. Maybe you were discouraged by something that happened at work and then got a call from an old friend you hadn’t talked to in years, who brightened your day. Maybe the ShopRite checkout girl smiled at you. Or maybe a bird landed on your window sill and started singing as you stood there.
Maybe your mechanic gave you a break on a costly car repair. Or maybe someone sent you a Mass card for Christmas with a kind note. Maybe you were driving, when suddenly Nat King Cole came on the radio, singing, “O Holy Night” and your heart was filled with irrepressible joy over the birth of the Savior. Or maybe you were looking through old photos and found one of you and your family and were overcome with gratitude for the life you’ve had, despite the suffering and challenges. Or just maybe, you went to Eucharistic adoration and your son agreed to go with you … and later gave you that Apple Watch you’ve wanted.
Once you recognize these gifts as graces from Jesus, your joy will be complete… so don’t forget to say thank you.
©J Pisani
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