Advent 2025 – Christ Living Within
As we journey through these days of Advent – the darkest days of the year, at least in the northern hemisphere – I ask myself what the purpose is every year.
I have led many Advent evenings over the years, and I am now familiar with the scripture passages. But each Advent invites me again to ask: “Is it to move forward and help to bring Christ’s light into the world, which is our Christian mission in life?”
This doesn’t happen instantly, but instead takes time to grow. The time of reflection over the weeks can help deepen our relationship with God, allowing His light to shine brighter and leaving behind anything that is not serving us well. We can do this by letting go of control and surrendering to God’s love in prayer. In doing so, we can spread hope and light in the darkness, bringing kindness and compassion to those around us. It could be as simple as offering a smile to a stranger.
A stranger helped me during a visit to Cairo, Egypt. It was getting dark, and I found myself helpless as I was unable to cross a road with non-stop traffic and without any pedestrian lights or pedestrian crossing. Although I would have been looked on as a privileged person in this culture, I felt very vulnerable being unable to cross the road.
As it happened, an old lady was sweeping the streets, and she obviously noticed my predicament. She promptly came over to me, took me by the arm, and confidently marched me across to the other side. I was so grateful, but she disappeared before I could even express my thanks.
She inspired me through her fundamental impulse to love, and I sensed the presence of Jesus within her. I was awakened to see the real meaning of Christmas – Emmanuel (‘God is with us’).
God’s gaze is always waiting for us, especially in this time of Advent. All we have to do is show up, and love can do the rest – broadening our outlook, helping us to experience new things in the old and old things in the new. Life is always new and constantly changing. “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often,” attributed to Saint John Henry Newman, Doctor of the Church.
May this season keep us alert to see where Christ’s light shines – for us and for others.
– Siobhan Murphy, the writer of our Advent 2025 Retreat, is a spiritual director who helps facilitate retreats in Loreto schools and at Manresa, a Jesuit retreat centre. She is a mother of nine children, and enjoys painting in her spare time.
The Sacred Space Advent 2025 Retreat – Christ Living Within, begins on Sunday 30th of November, the first week of Advent, and concludes on Christmas Eve.
