Slide 1
Dear Students, day after day, the path that we are passing through may change from time
to time. We will surely come to the point where the way is full of thorns, rocky steps, muddy soil
and firm ground and worse if there seems to be no other way to continue our journey. That is
why, I am telling you today to be “PREPARED!” We cannot just attain something as easy as we
want. Like the tree, before we can harvest the fruit, we are to cultivate the soil, to trim the
branches and to water it accordingly. It is the same with life, the meaning of our life depends on
the preparation and effort we put every day.
The Heart knows! Because God is within us. We just need to talk to him in the silence of
our hearts and he will surely tell us what to do.
Slide 2
Silence is so lacking in this world which is often too noisy, which is not favorable to
recollection and listening to the voice of God. In this time of preparation for Christmas, let us
cultivate interior recollection so as to receive and keep Jesus in our lives.” - POPE BENEDICT
XVI, ADVENT 2005
So, before we formally start, let us put our hearts on the palm of God and let him take
control over us as we begin our advent recollection… In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen…
Slide 4
My Dear Students, I believe you are fond of playing toys, watching cartoons or anime,
reading comics with your favorite character and playing online games. Am I right?
Slide 5
However, it is also a reality that many of us are deprived to do what we like. Some
families form their children the way they wish. Perhaps, they expect their child to learn how to
ride a bike, to be able to swim at a young age, to acquire the talent in singing or to obtain a
particular talent in sports like basketball, volleyball, badminton and so on.
Slide 6
I remember, when I was still a kid, I used to learn on my own. I love to play marbles,
water gun and PlayStation. And my parents told me that when I was still in the kindergarten, I
had a good dancing skill. However, along the way, when I formally entered elementary, my
hobbies changed as well. I joined the drum and lyre club. I also became a campus player in track
and field and chess. Moving forward, when I reached High School. My heart began to beat
faster. I started to have a crush on someone. I become a school representative in badminton. That
was also the time, when I learned all kinds of sports. I guess, it was a gift to me. I also started to
love music. And learned to play various musical instruments. I also became a member of the
Confraternity of Augustinian Recollect Altar Servers in our Church. But then, when I finish the
secondary, an unexpected moment happened. I was recruited to enter the seminary. Without any
background, I responded ‘YES’ and eventually I passed the entrance exam. At present, it is my 9
years trying to become holy, making myself being controlled by the grace of God, responding to
the calling of the Lord. And so, here I am!
Slide 9 Waiting
In our society of instant everything, the concept of waiting for anything is seen as a
nuisance and often is undervalued. Yet there will always be things that we need to wait for, and
things that are worth waiting for. For many, the birth of a child is a very real reminder of how we
need to wait. Children know very well about waiting and often need help being patient. The
phrase “Are we there yet?” expresses the impatience we sometimes feel when something we look
forward to is approaching. God’s time is eternal, which means that when He’s involved, there
can be a lot of waiting!
Slide 10
Baby Jesus
Of all the ways to bring us a Messiah, who could have expected that God, who can do
anything, would choose to deliver him in the form of a tiny, helpless baby to a humble family?
This is not what was expected by the Jews, nor would it be expected today. We must therefore
ask ourselves, what is God trying to teach us? We begin to see the importance God places on
humility, peace and love. To be a follower of God, we do not need to be strong or powerful but
to imitate a tiny baby.
