Immaculata University Advent Reflection Booklet

All the people who listened, including the tax collectors, whowere baptized with the baptism of John, acknowledged therighteousness of God; but the Pharisees and scholars of thelaw, who were not baptized by him, rejected the plan of Godfor themselves. Luke 7:29It is ten days before Christmas and many of us are beginning to gettogether with our families which span across generations. It is oftenduring the holidays we hear about the “good ole days” and howour generation has it so easy compared to “way back when I was akid and walked uphill both ways to school in the snow.”As I watch my uncle battle the debilitating disease of ALS, I, morethan usual, look forward to listening to the stories of when he wasmy age. I want to know what it was like for him when he wasyounger. As much as I do enjoy these stories, it saddens me becauseI know that someday he will not be around to share thesememories with me. I most enjoy the stories of him and his brother,my other uncle, who passed away many years ago. These stories ofmy uncles relate to my brother and me and how the two of us inthis modern day are really not all that different from them. It is importantto hear the stories of other generations. They help in puttingour own lives into perspective and value the time we spendwith our loved ones. I encourage everyone to ask their grandparents,parents, aunts, uncles, or friends this holiday season to tellthem a story of when they were younger and what it was like to be“your age.” What were their trials and how did they overcomethem and learn from them? We can learn a lot by listening.I should like to bring my daily drudge before You, O Lord - the long hoursand days crammed with everything else but You. Look at this daily drudge, mygentle God, You who are merciful to us men and women. Look at my soulwith Your mercy Lord, with it’s innumerable trivialities and grant me Yourpeace.AmenAndrew CarterClass of 2013Physical TherapyDecember 15, 2011Third Thursday of Advent