The herald for the second week of Advent is the greatest herald in the Bible: John the Baptist. His message is to prepare oneself for the Lord’s coming. As his cry travels down through the centuries, it’s deeper than just preparing for a visit from Jesus, it’s preparing to receive Him deeper than we ever have.

Advent is a time to prepare, yet many times we think we need to do all the preparations ourselves. Decorating, cooking, baking, and visiting — it’s all up to us to do. But is it really? Some people can receive a material gift with genuine appreciation, even if it’s not something they want, however, when someone offers to lend a helping hand, they are waved away. The volunteer is offering their gift of friendship, of time spent together, and of lightening the workload, even if it is an activity that is enjoyed. So why is the offer to assist rejected? For many it is a matter of control, if I want something done a certain way then I need to do it myself. I think this is a reflection of our culture where the focus is on what I want and how I feel. If we open ourselves up to receive the gift of aid, then we may also receive the gift of a different perspective. It may lead us to a deeper appreciation of Jesus, the Christmas season, and our relationship with the volunteer.

For some people who are capable of the activities we do to prepare for Christmas, having help may feel like we are taking it from someone who truly needs it. Christmas is a great time to volunteer to help those less fortunate than us. But people who offer their assistance know that we have the means (the time, talent, and resources) to accomplish our tasks. They are asking to be part of our lives, to share themselves with us. In accepting their gift of time and companionship, we are learning how to extend our focus beyond ourselves and to experience the world through another’s eyes. When we understand how to receive the gift of another’s time, we are better able to be compassionate and reach out to others who are in need. And that gift of friendship is the opportunity God provides to us so that we can practice having a relationship with Him. Jesus is continually calling out to us to be our Friend, to receive Him in the Eucharist, and to accept the salvation and redemption He won for us through His death and resurrection.

If John the Baptist didn’t think he was worthy to carry Jesus’ sandals, how can we think we can receive Jesus if we haven’t practiced being a friend to others? We are called to practice imitating Jesus by having relationships with those who come into our lives — both in our families as well as the friends we encounter across the various aspects of our lives. Friendship works both ways: by being a giver of what we have, and a receiver of what is offered to us. Let us use this Advent to prepare to receive Jesus by receiving those who offer the gift of time and self to us.