# Waiting in Hope on the Third Sunday of Advent
*2008-12-13*

> Bill Young reflects on the shift in Advent toward awaiting Christ’s coming, shares a family prayer for favors, and offers thoughts on keeping our hearts focused on hope amid holiday preparations.

## A Personal Prayer for Favors

Before diving into the reflections, I offered a prayer that has been in my family for years. It was given to me by my aunt, Mary Tracy, and we often say it around Christmas time, asking the Blessed Mother and Jesus for their intercession:

“Hail and blessed be the hour in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary at midnight in Bethlehem in piercing cold. In that hour I vow, O my God, to hear my prayers, grant my desires for the merits of our Savior Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother.”

## The Turning Point of Advent

Today marks the third Sunday of Advent, the moment when the season shifts from reflecting on our need for salvation to focusing on the coming of the Savior. The liturgy changes its colour to rose, reminding us of the tender joy of Christ’s birth. The readings proclaim the one who brings glad tidings to the poor, heals the broken‑hearted, proclaims liberty to captives, and releases prisoners. This is the heart of the season’s hope.

## Living the Hope in Everyday Life

Even as we shop, decorate, and prepare holiday meals, we are called to keep our spirits attuned to Christ. Some people avoid all Christmas symbols, but the Advent images—lights, wreaths, the nativity—point us to the One who fulfills us. When we write Christmas cards or emails, let them carry a word of blessing: “May the peace of Christ be in your heart this Christmas.”

## A Simple Question

The reflection ends with a single, probing question: What are you waiting for? May we all answer with a hopeful expectancy of Christ’s coming.

*Advent invites us to shift our focus from worldly preparations to the joyful hope of Christ’s arrival.*