This Advent, we pause to reflect on its meaning and significance, with weekly insights from members of the Diocesan Council for Consecrated Life.
Fr Kevin Redmond SM. Image: Supplied
As we come towards the end of our Advent journey this year, arriving at the Fourth Sunday of Advent, one of the themes that we can reflect upon is the idea of change. Our loving God often asks us to change our minds or outlook or behaviour to store up treasure for ourselves in Heaven or to have our names written in the book of life.
In our First Reading, King Ahaz is challenged to change his behaviour because his actions are not in accord with God’s will. In the Gospel, Joseph had made up his mind to divorce Mary, after she was found to be pregnant; but in a dream, the angel of the Lord came to him and convinced him to change his mind. For St Paul in the Second Reading, the Romans are invited to see how they are one of the nations called to “the obedience of faith” through the apostolic mission of Paul.
We are preparing for the joy of the birth of Jesus at Christmas, and of course, the birth of a child transforms lives and ‘change’ is hardly an adequate description of the difference a baby makes to the household and family.
The reality of the birth of the Saviour invites us to recognise how we are called to ‘change’.
Our perspective and outlook can be transformed because the birth of a child invites us to recognise that we are no longer living our lives for ourselves but for another. Parents have talked to me about being tired – tired like never before – being stressed and being time-poor, but they also reflect about how the new member of the family brings joy and hope like nothing else.
Of course, Christmas is a very busy time of the year. We have to think about presents, decorations and how and where we will celebrate Christmas, but also this time of year marks the end of one calendar year and the beginning of another. Here in Australia, with summer, the heat increases, and so this season can be stressful and heated in more ways than one.
Are we open to change? Can we allow ourselves to know that God is offering us something so precious? All too easily, we can get caught up in the silly season, but I hope and pray that each of us can take some time to recognise the difference the birth of Jesus makes in our lives and our world.
These Advent reflections are one way that the 10-year anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si’ on “On Care for Our Common Home” is being marked. Pope Francis called for a change of behaviour and perspective in the way that we treat our common home. For so long, humans, especially in the first world, have treated the environment as something to be exploited. They have acted as if this exploitation will have no consequences.
We are being challenged to recognise that these assumptions are false and that our common home cannot just be used up but must be cared for.
The birth of a child can transform the way a family functions and its priorities – and in a similar way, we are being challenged to change the way that we care for the earth.
Can we see God’s grace and peace on offer at this time of year?
The answer is, of course we can, but it takes work – that is our work each Advent season – to be open to changing our behaviour, outlook, perspective and our openness so we can recognise God’s grace in our lives and world.
We are invited to take up the challenge of caring for ourselves, others and the environment as we would for a newborn baby.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you, to all those you love and who love you.
Fr Kevin Redmond SM is a member of the Society of Mary and the Marist Fathers. Fr Kevin came to the Diocese of Parramatta in November 2021 to minister at St Andrew the Apostle Parish, Marayong. In July 2024, he was appointed Parish Priest, and in April 2025, he was appointed Dean of the Blacktown Deanery. Fr Kevin is also a member of the Diocesan Council for Consecrated Life.
This reflection underpins our commitment to Formation and Prayer under the Diocesan Pastoral Plan. Visit Synodality to learn more.
