During the Advent season, the Marquette community is encouraged to pause and reflect on our Catholic, Jesuit identity and how each of us can continue to be men and women for others during the celebration of Christmas. Each week, Campus Ministry will offer an Advent reflection, providing an opportunity for us to open our hearts and minds to the spirit of Advent.
As students head home for Winter Break and staff prepare for the Gift of Time, Campus Ministry wishes the Marquette community a restful and prayerful continued Advent season. May you enjoy a peaceful Christmas surrounded by loved ones. Below is a message from Pope Francis, reminding us that the miracle of God’s love being born into the world occurs in us when we open our hearts to this reality.
Christmas is usually a noisy party: we could use a bit of silence, to hear the voice of Love.
Christmas is you, when you decide to be born again each day and let God into your soul. The Christmas pine is you, when you resist vigorous winds and difficulties of life. The Christmas decorations are you, when your virtues are colors that adorn your life. The Christmas bell is you, when you call, gather and seek to unite. You are also a Christmas light, when you illuminate with your life the path of others with kindness, patience, joy and generosity. The Christmas angels are you, when you sing to the world a message of peace, justice and love. The Christmas star is you, when you lead someone to meet the Lord. You are also the wise men, when you give the best you have no matter who. Christmas music is you when you conquer the harmony within you. The Christmas gift is you, when you are truly friend and brother of every human being. The Christmas card is you, when kindness is written in your hands. The Christmas greeting is you, when you forgive and reestablish peace, even when you suffer. The Christmas dinner is you, when you sated bread and hope to the poor man who is by your side. You are, yes, Christmas night, when humble and conscious, you receive in the silence of the night the Savior of the world without noise or great celebrations; you are a smile of trust and tenderness, in the inner peace of a perennial Christmas that establishes the Kingdom within you. A very Merry Christmas for all those who look like Christmas.