As this Advent continues, my thoughts are on Easter. I know many will say, lets enjoy the gift of the Holy Child and stay in this moment. But the beauty of this Advent and Christmas for me, is the reality that Our Lord truly is the Gift that keeps giving. Every day is Christmas. Every day we open our eyes, some, open their hearts. He gives us Himself daily. We have the gift of life to do His will. Christmas, this Holy Child given to us for a time of 33 years. Until He was deemed unworthy, like a present that didn’t live up to our expectations, sentenced to death, crucified but rose from the dead, giving us the best gift ever. Victory over death and a choice to follow Him or not.

As I prayed Divine Office this evening, I found this opening hymn to be exactly what I needed. I hope you find it needed as well.

O quickly come, great Judge of all;
For glorious will your advent be,
All shadows from the truth will fall,
O come and heal that we may see!
O quickly come, for doubt and fear
Like clouds dissolve when you are near.

O quickly come, great King of all;
Reign all around us and within;
Let sin no more our souls enthrall,
Let pain and sorrow die with sin:
O quickly come, for you alone
Can make your scattered people one.

O quickly come, true Life of all,
For death is mighty all around;
On ev’ry home its shadows fall,
On ev’ry heart its mark is found:
O quickly come, for grief and pain
Cannot obscure your glorious reign.

O quickly come, sure Light of all,
For gloomy night broods o’er our way;
And weakened souls begin to fall

With weary watching for the day:
O quickly come, for round your throne
No eye is blind, no night is known.