7 Ways You Can Bear Light This Advent
When it comes to reflecting on Advent, I often think about the incredible journey that Mary went through. I think about how God chose Mary to carry his only son.
What an incredible honour that must have been for Mary but at the same time, how incredibly scary it must have been for a simple teenage girl just going about her everyday life. Yet this young girl did something that affected us all.
She said yes.
On this journey of Advent we are all on, what is our ‘yes’? How can we bear light into the world like Mary did?
Below are 7 ways we can all beat light during this Advent. Through these simple actions, we can say ‘yes’ and be the bearers of light God asks us to be each day:
1. Prayers for those who do not have anyone praying for them
There are many things in life where we cannot see the fruit of our actions and the act of praying for those who have no one to pray for them can be one of them.
I recently listened to a podcast called ‘Abiding Together’, where one of the hosts, Michelle Benzinger mentioned that often “you need people to circle around you to say “You can’t see God’s restoration and redemption in this situation but we can”. For many people, they don’t have the friends or family to circle around them in pray and let them know that there is always hope.
While we do not know the circumstances of those we are praying for, we can say a prayer that reaches God and helps to plant the seeds into their hearts that transform into blessing.
Personally, I am so grateful for the communities, friends and family who pray for me and I for them. Knowing we have people who love us and pray for us can give us the hope and faith we need in good times and bad.
Unfortunately though, there are many who struggle and can see no hope in their hearts.
So take the time this Advent to take a few minutes to pray for those who need it most.
2. A simple smile
St Therese of Lisieux once said “one word or a pleasing smile is often enough to raise up a saddened and wounded soul”.
The value of a smile is a small exchange that can bring joy and gratitude into a soul. This value increases especially when someone’s heart is damaged and they are going through a difficult time in their life.
For many, they may not express their own personal situations, but what we can do is exchange a simple smile which can uplift them and bring them the light they need in this season of Advent.
So whichever scenario you find yourself in each day, remember to smile as this could be just the seed that needs to be planted in a soul for spiritual nourishment.
3. A secret act of kindness to someone
A few years ago, I read about a ‘Pay it forward coffee’ trend. This trend began with businesses inspiring kindness in everyday life by arranging any customer the opportunity to pay for 2 coffees instead of one and ‘paying it forward’ as a surprise to the next customer who walks into the café.
While not all businesses may have a program like this in place, you can simply ask the cashier to pay for a large coffee for the next person that comes in. In many cases, you will not know the next customer who receives your act of kindness, but you can be sure they will remember this for years to come.
4. Give a compliment
Honest compliments can also make someone’s day go from ‘average’ to ‘great’ all from a few words.
We often don’t know what’s going on in someone’s life – whether they are going through lows or highs – but what we can do is give them some honest words of encouragement through compliments that lift them up that day.
5. Letting someone go in front of you in a queue
I am normally that impatient person that often wishes I could be at the start of any queue I am in, especially in a shopping centre over the Christmas period. A few years ago though I gave up on that and just started to enjoy those small moments of waiting because life can otherwise be so chaotic and fast that I don’t get to enjoy those moments.
While doing that, I may let the small family behind me take my spot in the queue so they can go home and feed their pets or prepare dinner for the day. It is amazing how a small act like this can change the perspective of others and place light and hope into their lives.
So this Advent season, while you’re at the shopping centre getting your Christmas gifts for family and friends, make it a personal mission to let someone take your spot in the queue and make their day.
6. Pray with someone
Our great Lord always hears every single word from us each time we pray alone, but there is something so powerful and amazing when two or more pray in His name.
If a friend approaches you with a struggle this Advent or shares a beautiful experience that has made them grateful, ask if you can pray with them. A prayer asking for strength, healing or to thank God for the friendship you have and all He has given is beautifully done when we pray together. Make it a mission of yours this Advent to pray with someone and see the beautiful gifts that God will shower upon you both through this action.
7. Pray for someone
Recently I was getting a hot chocolate from a cafe and being a regular customer, I got into a small chat with one of the workers there. She mentioned she was babysitting her nieces that evening and was worried it would take a while to get them to bed. I could see the exhaustion in her eyes from a big week so I offered a prayer to ask God to help the children get to bed and fall asleep with ease so she could get some rest.
While I do not know the ending to that story, it was a great reminder to listen to those around us and place their intentions in our prayers. Let’s do small things with great love this Advent!
So as we prepare for our Lord’s coming, say ‘yes’ to the mission of bearing light into the world. It may not seem like a big deal doing small acts of love, but remember that one reactive moment creates a domino effect.
REFLECT
- Which of these 7 ways could I take on today or this week to bear light to others?
- Who are bearers of light to me in my life? Give a prayer of thanks for them.
Antonia is an Australian-born Croatian who’s passionate about discovering the beautiful world we live in and practising her Catholic faith. She combines her love for travel and love for faith in her blog, The Adriatic Fox (theadriaticfox.com)
This feature is a part of the 2018 Advent Calendar, which is available to download for free as an app.
Download on iPhone: http://bit.do/adventiphone
Download on iPad: http://bit.do/adventipad
Download on an Android phone: http://bit.do/adventandroid
Download on an Android tablet: http://bit.do/adventandroidHD