Advent renews the invitation to us to live in expectation of Jesus and not to cease to await his coming. The vigilance of heart that the Christian is always called to exercise in everyday life characterizes this time in which we prepare ourselves with joy for the mystery of Christmas.
The Christian is invited to live Advent without letting himself get distracted by the lights [of commercial messages] so that he can fix his interior gaze upon Christ and know how to assign things their proper value. If in fact we remain “vigilant in prayer and exultant in praise,” our eyes will be able to recognize in him the true light of the world who comes to illuminate our darkness.
True joy does not come from diversions, being drawn away from life and from its responsibilities. True joy is linked to something much more profound. It is important to find moments for rest, for relaxation, but true joy is connected with our relationship to God. Those who have met Jesus in their lives experience a serenity and a joy in their hearts that no one and no situation can take away.
In this Advent season let us strengthen our certainty that the Lord has come among us and continues to renew his presence of consolation, love and joy.
Pope Benedict XVI
December 11, 2011 Angelus message
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