InsightOut: At the Heart of Advent
Lisa Phan is a first-year student in Life Sciences with an aspiration for nursing. Embracing St. Mike’s as her second home, she is part of the Christianity & Culture club, Campus Ministry choir, and St. Basil’s Parish.
An honest reflection from a first year St. Michael’s College student, extending my warm prayer and wishes to all.
Advent is a season of hope for everyone—encountered in many different ways. Hope allows our hearts to be attentive and open to miracles, big or small. You and I are miracles, every child born and every living heartbeat is a miracle. For Christians, Advent is especially a reflective time as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus, the Messiah (“Anointed One”). Singing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, we await a baby boy on Christmas and a promised King in his Second Coming. As spoken through the prophet Isaiah, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (meaning ‘God is with us’),” this child was a miracle to be revealed. This child was born emanating light and love to the world.
As much as we want a joyful spirit for this season leading up to Christmas, I am aware that each one of us has our own burdens. Amid the chill air of winter, the stress of final exams, I realized I was entering this year’s Advent season with a restless heart. Life can seem so fast-paced, the future uncertain, and we may feel aimless when we are so caught up in the motions. As a community at St. Mike’s, we can walk through this season together.
Deep within me, I longed to have my hope renewed, and to kindle hope also in others around me. I did not want to live in a survival mode, but to truly live with meaning, purpose and authentic connections with people and all of nature around me. Thus, in Advent, I sought peace for hearts that need healing like mine. For a Saviour that heals my heart so that I may also heal others. A Light that illuminates truth and overcomes all my fear so I may also flourish and liberate others from their own fears. A Love that warms my heart so I may also warm the ones trembling in coldness. I pray for the lonely ones to meet genuine care, and the ones who suffer to meet true consolation. These desires are closest to my heart as a Christian.
I noticed how simple things can warm your heart. A candle lit. Warm sunlight. A harmony of birds chirping and squirrels running. A smile shared with friends, family, and passing-by people on the street.
Moreover, this year, I am grateful to celebrate Advent on St. Michael’s College campus, and at St. Basil’s Parish. From Taizé Prayer, the St. Basil’s Advent retreat, the Schola Cantorum concert, Newman Centre’s community dinner, to Campus Ministry masses – all around the University of Toronto campus are enriching experiences to prepare my hearts and senses for Christ. During these four weeks, we are lighting the Advent candles in the spirit of hope, peace, joy and love. Advent retreats have been grounding me in stillness and silence and deepening my faith. I find myself blessed with a refreshed mind, with patience in my struggles, with courage to grow from my failings, and dedication to my studies. Though there are many doubts and fears, again and again, I am learning to surrender all to God and imitate Mother Mary’s fiat, “Be it unto me according to your word.”
Throughout the rest of this Advent season, may our hearts be transformed and our gaze be softened with love. May we see and cherish all small miracles in our days and share joy and hope with all those around us. May this be a season of deep inner peace and healing for each of us in St. Mike’s community.
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