We begin this second week of Advent in a spirit of peaceful anticipation for Christ’s coming, the peace that Jesus brings into our hearts, our homes, and our families. At Mass yesterday, Father invited us to watch closely as he added a single drop of water into the wine in the chalice. When the bread and wine are brought to the altar, they represent the union of Christ’s divinity and humanity. They also symbolize the fruits of our own labors from the past week, our humble offerings to God.

The mingling of that tiny drop of water with the wine before consecration signifies Christ’s Incarnation, but Father shared another beautiful insight: it also symbolizes our lives being united with Christ, in both his humanity and his divinity. Just as the drop of water cannot be separated from the wine, we cannot be separated from Christ’s love and mercy when we open our hearts and surrender our lives to Him. We truly become brothers and sisters in Christ.

As I continue through this Advent season, I want to carry that sense of closeness with my Lord and Creator. It sounds beautiful, and it won’t always be easy in the world we live in, but I believe it will be worth every ounce of effort.