Advent 17

Tuesday, Third Week of Advent
13 December 2022

Preparation

According to Merriam-Webster, the term advent comes from the Latin adventus, translating to arrival or appearance. This definition feels especially pertinent this year as I’m writing this reflection while covering the Neonatal ICU (NICU) on a stretch of night shifts. As a pediatrics resident, this involves attending deliveries and helping admit infants (often born prematurely) to the NICU who need extra support.
 
A birth is the ultimate arrival, and it is a privilege to be present for this miracle to help newborns transition safely into the world (breathing on your own after floating in amniotic fluid for 6-9 months is harder than you might imagine!).
 
Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about what happens before the arrival. Planning for the birth of a severely premature infant requires a great deal of preparation. Team roles must be delineated, equipment (in multiple sizes) must be gathered, and the newborn warmer must be set up. It is not unusual for this process to require multiple physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists. The preparation is crucial and often determines how smoothly the infant’s arrival will go. Being a part of an unplanned delivery amplifies this fact even more.
 
During Advent, the ultimate arrival is the birth of Jesus, bringing hope to a whole world. Doesn’t it stand to reason then that the preparation for His arrival would be of the utmost importance? Too often around this time of year I find myself breathlessly racing toward December 25th. What gifts are left to buy? Where are we going to celebrate on Christmas Eve? When do I have time to put up the tree? These tasks may feel like important preparation on the surface, but they are a far cry from meticulously preparing a delivery room for the arrival of a premature infant.
 
This year, maybe we should take a new view of preparation for an important – the most important – arrival. Spending quality time with family and friends, thinking about those who are no longer with us, and reflecting on how we have grown (or fallen short) in the past year are all ways to open our hearts to Jesus’ arrival. If witnessing the birth of multiple infants a night has taught me anything, it’s that arrivals do not always go as planned, but no one ever regrets thorough preparation.
 
Ryan Sutyla ’16