Today we begin the new year in our Church calendar with the Season of Advent, the four week preparation for Christmas.  It has two aspects: today until December 16 our focus are set on the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of time, and from December 17 to December 24, we turn our attention to the first Christmas when Christ was born more than 2000 years ago.  According to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, between these two comings of Christ is His Third Coming in the present.  And that is why Advent is the presence of God among us in Christ.  Advent challenges us to be daring in opening ourselves to Christ’s coming in the most ordinary as well as in the most trying and difficult moments of our lives.  It is only when we dare to open our hearts to Christ’s daily coming can we truly experience the giftedness of each moment and day of our lives in God.

             Let Edie Brickell help you to be bold in opening to God with her 1994 hit single “Good Times”. Edie’s music is very refreshing and natural but bold in its message and lyrics where we find her openness to the presence of her loved one whether in “good times or in bad times.”  That is the challenge of Advent to us:  if we cannot dare to open ourselves to God in our good times and bad times, we would never have that space for Him in our hearts where He truly comes every day.  Dare to open your heart to God, give a space for Jesus to come and that is when Christmas happens regardless of the date and time.

You don’t even have to try
It comes easy for you
The way you move is so appealing it could make me cry
Go out drivin’ with my friends
In bobby’s big old beat up car
I’m with a lot of people then, I wounder were you are

Good times, bad times gimme some of that (3x) Ooh woo ooh

I don’t wanna say goodbye
Don’t wanta walk ya to the door
I spent a little time with you, I want a little more

Good times, bad times gimme some of that (3x) Ooh woo ooh

And baby really, I don’t have to
I have to go anywhere right now
You want some more, you want some more of this
Anywhere where, were ever you want baby, just,
Say it…. Ah…. Just say it

Good times, bad times gimme some of that (3x) Ooh woo ooh

Now want those good, good ,good times
And got those bad, bad, bad times
I want those good, good, good ,good times
Gimme some that

*Photo by author, Advent wreath at the Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan, 02 December 2018.