Originally published at National Catholic Register
Having a baby in the house during Advent has radically altered my perspective of preparing for Christmas.
Last year during Advent, instead of merely looking at a manger scene every once in a while, I began to pray with this visual each day. Instead of staring at a crucifix or contemplating another mystery of Jesus’ life, I focused on what it would have been like to be there when he was born. I realized something critical about this earth-shattering event.
Some manger scenes have lights and some are large, while others are drastically simple and small. Whatever the details might be, all of these scenes share something in common: the figures are fixated in one direction. The depictions of the shepherds, the animals, the Magi and Mary and Joseph are all looking at the empty spot for the Christ Child.
Spending an extended amount of time each day with this reality made the Christmas celebration much more impactful for me last year. This year, however, something else has drawn me in even closer. In September, my wife Joanna and I welcomed our third child, and first girl, to our family: Abigail Ann. Having a baby in the house
