From the Grandstand

There are two reasons why we might prepare for the arrival of someone important. One is the influence or power they may have over us and our interests. The other is the love we have for them. Yes, because love makes the people we care for important. This is how God sees us. If someone important is coming to our home, we tidy up, clean thoroughly, paint if needed… we put in more effort than we normally would.
Now, this “Someone” important who is coming is the Son of God. He matters both because of His power and because of how much we love Him. And He comes to dwell in my heart, where all my innermost thoughts reside. There, nothing can be hidden from Him. And He will see, above all, how my relationship with my spouse is. What will He find when He arrives? It’s time to make a special effort to organise my desires, tame my passions, purge my heart of the vices that have taken root, and brighten the darkness that clouds my vision when I look at you.
The Lord is coming, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Applied to Married Life:

Andrew: Thelma, I’ve looked deep into my heart, and I’ve seen what Christ will see from there. In my heart, nothing is hidden, nothing is protected—it’s all laid bare. What I see and my intentions, the judgements I make, the thoughts I sometimes have about you, my rejections, my desires, my feelings… Everything, absolutely everything, passes through my heart. And that’s where God is coming to be born again this Christmas.
Darling, I sat for a while at the foot of the throne reserved for God in my heart. It was like the grandstand, the prime seat reserved for VIPs, from where everything that happens can be seen. On the playing field of that great stadium, every move, every foul, every pass, and every shot was visible. But I saw so many shameful and disgraceful plays: dirty tactics due to my darkened outlook, elbowing to assert dominance, quick judgements and internal condemnations. I had to leave because I couldn’t bear the thought of the Son of God witnessing my poor behaviour.
Thelma: Well, darling, God is merciful, and He will see all of that through a different lens.
Andrew: I know, Thelma, but I need to do something so He doesn’t have to watch my selfishness, negativity, and quick judgements. I want to train my team to play with humility, joy, and patience. I want to prepare a team built on virtues so that when the King arrives to watch the match, He delights in every goal. And I want to defeat evil with a resounding victory. Will you be my coach?
Thelma: You’re so funny… Alright, deal! To start with, how about you give up watching so much football this Advent? You seem a little obsessed…

Mother,

Whatever it takes to prepare the way for the Lord. May that voice not cry out in the wilderness but resonate within me these days. Preparation, discipline, training… the Saviour is coming, and all flesh shall see Him. Praise be to Him forever.

At that time: Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’ And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
  These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, ‘Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
  ‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.’

Applied to Married Life:

Customer: Good morning. Does your insurance offer comprehensive coverage?
Advisor: Very good, very good morning to you.
Customer: Sorry, very good morning. I was asking if your insurance offers comprehensive coverage.
Advisor: Yes, and I was responding that it offers very good coverage.
Customer: Oh, I see. It’s just that I’m a bit clumsy.
Advisor: Even if you’re clumsy, the coverage remains the same.
Customer: No, I meant about the “very good”… Never mind.
Advisor: Ah, but it does matter. There’s a big difference between coverage that’s very good and just good coverage.
Customer: Fine, fine. I surrender. Can you tell me what this insurance covers?
Advisor: It covers everything: eternal life, protection against fires in the heart, rescue from drowning in worries, and even against sadness unto death… everything!
Customer: That sounds like a very unusual insurance.
Advisor: Not unusual—unique.
Customer: Right, they all say that.
Advisor: No, this one really is unique. The Word of the Lord.
Customer: Thanks be to God.
Advisor: See? Now we’re starting to understand each other.
Customer: And what does it cost?
Advisor: At first, it costs a lot. Then, less and less.
Customer: The exact opposite of everything else.
Advisor: Exactly. That’s how the Word works—every single day.

Mother,

Thank You for this secure path. Praise be to the Lord.