“When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’" – Lk 2:15
MUNSTER – The Magi may be more flashy with their colorful robes and gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but the shepherds may offer the faithful a more meaningful and relevant message to reflect upon during Advent.
So suggested author and retreat leader Liz Kelly as she presented an Advent by Candlelight Evening of Reflection for 80 women on Nov. 29 at St. Thomas More. Snowed in at her home in Minnesota, Kelly delivered her talk, “Keeping Watch by Night: What the Shepherds Teach Us About an Advent Heart,” by Zoom after some technical difficulties were resolved.
“This is what the shepherds shared – that God decided to pour himself into this little child … desiring that you would fly to him,” Kelly said.
Just as the shepherds left their sheep in the field and rushed off to witness what the angels had told them about, added Kelly, they set an example for the faithful to “Come as you are, sick, hopeless, that (the Christ Child) may touch your soul so that you may witness that you have encountered Jesus and change the way you walk through this world.”
Kathy Jones, a parishioner at St. James the Less in Highland, said the symbolism of the shepherds in the story of Christ’s birth gave her a new angle to ponder during Advent. “I’d never thought of the Christmas story (from the shepherds’ perspective). It is an interesting way to prepare. Advent is one of those seasons that just disappears, and I came tonight because I wanted my Advent to have more of an impact,” she said. “I know I’ll never look at a Nativity scene the same way again.”
The program “taught me that (Christmas) is not all about the presents and the parties, but about prayer, fasting and almsgiving,” said Helen Rich, a St. Thomas More parishioner who follows her own schedule of fasting during Advent and finds that as she gets older, “It gives me more joy to give than to receive (presents).”
Elaine Herrmann, who brought the Advent reflection program to St. Thomas More after attending a “memorable and meaningful” event several years ago in Naperville, Ill., said the plan was “to bring all of us here before the holidays get frantic, (so we can) get ready for the coming of Jesus and have a social gathering, too.”
Herrmann said all women of the Diocese of Gary are invited “to make it more inclusive. We started out inviting just women, but a few men wanted to attend, so we welcome them, too.”
Tammy Kozy, a member of the Parish Life Ministry Team who hosts the Advent reflection, said she likes “to see people and have great fellowship. I like to make the centerpieces, too.” Kozy added that she “looks forward every year to preparing for the birth of Jesus and all the celebrations, and enjoys hearing each year “what the speaker has to say about Advent.”
“Getting ready for Christmas in a spiritual way,” draws Carolyn Cenko to the Advent reflection program, which began with a short prayer service and a light supper, while Jessie Vesecky, another member of the Parish Life Ministry, said meeting “at the end of (one) liturgical year and beginning of a new year” allows for “renewal and a fresh start for our faith and practicing our faith as a family.”
Dona Gerlach, also from St. Thomas More, enjoys the Advent reflection evening “because it gives us something to focus on other than shopping and gifts – the ‘real reason for the season.’”
Grateful to be with friends during Advent preparation is Ruth Banas, who recently spent a lengthy stay in the hospital. “Learning and getting to know more about our faith is why I came,” she said.
The shepherds, keeping watch over their flock, did not hesitate once the angels came to them in the field and told them of the birth of the Christ Child, noted Kelly. “They said, ‘Let’s go, go see this child,’ and in haste, with great alacrity – they didn’t take a vote – they went and were amazed,” she said.
“Cynicism has been tremendously popular, (looking) to find the worst in people, but the shepherds show us how to have a childlike heart, to find what the Lord wants to give us,” Kelly pointed out. “As a child, I liked the Wise Men with their cool outfits and gifts, but as I get older, I find that I am drawn more to the simplicity of the shepherds, who had nothing to offer but themselves and their willingness to witness and adore … My Advent is now about rest, prayer, adoration and stillness.”