Advent 26

Thursday, Fourth Week of Advent
22 December 2022

Finding God During Break and Christmas

I began winter break completely wiped out, following a busy semester of thesis, coursework, and graduate school applications. The semester absolutely drained me in nearly every way. I suppose this is the case for every college senior after a busy fall semester. The reality of having very little to do now that winter break has begun has struck me. I cannot help but feel somewhat listless and neglectful. I’ve realized that when I have little to do that I need to accomplish, I actually accomplish barely anything, or do so at a glacial pace. This goes to my spiritual life. 

For those who know me or see me around campus, you can attest to my love of reading, particularly religious (usually Catholic) scripture and theological works. I consider reading an important part of my faith and development of my virtue and self-discipline. So, perhaps during a time such as winter break when the latter can be particularly lacking, it’s in my best interest to stick to my reading. I try to, but I’ve found myself not having the motivation to do so, usually only doing so right before I go to bed once it finally dawns on me that I’ve yet to do it. 

What has kept me doing the readings, along with maintaining a healthy and fruitful spiritual life during break (not just winter breaks like this one but spring breaks, summer breaks, Thanksgiving breaks, and those trumped up extended weekends we call “Fall Breaks”), is well, God. I remind myself that I’m doing these readings so I can get to know Him and His plans and ways better, the infinitesimally scant knowledge we can actually gain in this mortal, temporal life enough without full theosis and the beatific vision. I can inculcate virtue in myself to live a good life as a Christian. Especially now, in Advent’s midst, with Christmas three days away, we find ourselves approaching God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, who Himself is God. We know that Jesus has already come, is coming again, and that we, as mere pilgrims on Earth await his inevitable Second Coming, and should always endeavor to seek God and his Son (and let’s not forget the Holy Spirit) in all that we do during this time. We should maintain the good habits that help us achieve this. So, this Advent and Christmas season, always remember to keep God at the forefront of all that you do, because come the new year, as break continues into the cold and dark depths of January, He will be a light to guide you throughout it. Amen. 

Philip Chivily ’23