Advent: The Gift of Self

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” 

(Is. 9:1)

As I reflect on that moment where in the silence and darkness of the night, the light became Word- my heart is filled with peace and joy.  Advent is a time of sacred memories where our trust in a redemptive love is reaffirmed and reborn. Every year this story takes on new meaning and causes me to relive the atmosphere of expectation, hope, awe, and joy which is definitive of Christmas.

Never has this season therefore been so special to me!! In addition to the outpour of blessings from my beloved friends here in CA, my older brother just got engaged!! Our whole family couldn’t be happier!!! It was so humbling to have seen Robert kneel before Olivia and ask for her hand in marriage. 

Prior to this moment, myself, my younger sister and best friend Kara were hunched in a closet waiting to photograph the moment when they entered the chapel. There was so much excitement, anticipation, and lots of muffled laughter which filled our small space. As the clock ticked down we decided to say a simple prayer in the dark asking Christ to guide and shape their love so that one day Robert and Olivia could fully share their hearts with each other. The moment Robert and Olivia entered the chapel, it was as if the whole space was enveloped in peace. What pure joy!

After some time to reflect on this beautiful moment, I see how there is such fittingness to this joy. Thinking again on Advent, I see with great clarity the ways in which Robert and Olivia so evidently radiate the message of hope at the heart of Christ’s birth! If you think about it, throughout the Advent season we are constantly being oriented towards light. Often in this reflection we are reminded of the many difficulties which may cause those words of light and hope to seem distant or even out of reach. That is precisely the beauty of sharing in this time of celebration with Robert and Olivia. The reverence which Robert and Olivia exhibited to each other is so revealing of our own deposit of faith in which, we experience ourselves as wrapped in a sweet, tender love of God and in the same experience become commitment to a practical love of God.

In this experience, the preparation attached to this engagement for both Robert and Olivia has been so clear. One of my favorite excerpts from Bl. JPII on this type of preparation has always been: “The greater the feeling of responsibility for the person the more true love there is” (Love & Responsibility). All the little details of the engagement on both parts were such perfect examples of the sacrificial acts which often go unnoticed but undeniably increase and perfect our ability to love. The unyielding mercy in times of trial, celebrating life together, cherishing moments of peace in daily routines, and always seeking that redeeming unity becomes our irrevocable responsibility to love!

Even thinking about Olivia’s name, the perfect expression of peace, I see the tremendous blessing that has been given to our family! A new daughter, sister, and future wife for Robert! How incredible! God is good! What an amazing encounter of light and life! Nevermore has this season been such a feast of light.

Our dearest Olivia and beloved Robert, thank you for this Advent gift!!

We will be holding you in the heart of our prayers as you begin to prepare for this most beautiful vocation!!

“Fill us with your gifts, you who did not hesitate to begin human life like us. Make us children of God, you who for our sake desired to become a son of man.” 

(St. Augustine)