Spiritual Reflection

Advent is a time for us to remember the three comings of Christ: First Christmas…Second, His coming at the end of the world and Third…the coming of Christ into our hearts.

Just think about everyone welcoming Christ into their hearts every day.  There would be no wars…just peace, justice and love.

My favorite story about Advent took place many years ago in upstate New York.  I was conducting a day of prayer for the Ladies of Charity in Saratoga Springs and a mother told me this story about her son. He was a second grader and the Diocese of Albany had a Christmas pageant and the final performance would be in New York City. The second graders would audition for the different characters in the Christmas story.

Her son wanted to be in the play and he wanted to be the innkeeper. Being a kind of troublemaker, his mom didn’t think he had a chance. Two weeks later he came home and said he got the part. His mom called the principal and she confirmed he won the part because he was by far the best at “THERE’S NO ROOM IN THE INN!”

Then came the day of the performance. The symphony is there. The place is packed and it begins with the second grade presentation of the Christmas story. It begins with the innkeeper. Mary and Joseph approach the cardboard inn and ask if there is a place they could spend the night for the birth of their baby.

This is his Oscar winning moment and instead of saying “There’s no room in the inn” he says, “AW COME ON IN!” He kills the play. There is no need for shepherds, angels, kings.  Mary and Joseph have no lines for this.  So, the Symphony starts their musical presentation.

On the way home with his parents and grandparents, there is silence. He asks if they are mad at him.  He says, you know anyone who ever comes to our house, you never turn them away.  How could I turn Mary and Joseph away?

Maybe Jesus is outside trying to get into my life. Do I say, “There’s no room here” or do I say, “Come on in” and change my life?  Advent is trying to help me with this.