While we prepare for Advent, it is essential to realize that God does not simply wait to respond but continues to work in the world. The Divine designs his most incredible work in our hearts’ still, small recesses. In our preparation, we realize that God moves within us, encouraging us to continue our spiritual disciplines. The most important thing about our task this season is that the guest, referring to Jesus, has been with us all along, guiding, comforting, and inspiring us. This Advent, let us open our hearts to this guest who has always been present.

     Jesus moves in every thought, deed, and action. When we realize that the world’s Savior never left us, we grow closer to Him. When we take time to make a fearless and moral inventory of ourselves, we are encouraged to examine our thoughts, actions, and beliefs without fear or judgment, and to align them with moral principles. In doing so, we find extraordinary ways of connecting with the Divine. We discover the many parts of our spiritual house that need sweeping. Through careful examination of our hearts and prayer, we encounter Christ living in the deepest recesses of our souls.

     When we clean our spiritual house, we joyfully discover the source of our faith. It is Jesus who makes his presence known. But to reach this point of discovery, we must embark on our spiritual journey. We must put in the hard work to find what we lost. Sometimes, it’s easier to clean some parts, while others present a challenge. Years of heartbreak accumulate in rooms that we lock up and throw away the key.

     Praise be to God. We’re not alone as we find ways to knock down the doors and clean a space with our darkest secrets. Jesus walks beside us, offering his unwavering support and encouragement. Our task is to clean the house, one broom stroke at a time. In the realm of messiness and cleanliness, Jesus is there, cheering us on. By doing such work, we grow in our faith as we fix our eyes on Jesus.