Pope Benedict XVI Celebrates the Advent of Advent

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A close-up:

The pontiff addressed the crowds in St. Peter's Square during his traditional Sunday blessing that also marked the beginning of Advent, which starts four Sundays before Christmas and is the beginning of the ecclesiastical year.

"We could say that Advent is the time when Christians should awaken in their hearts the hope that they can change the world, with the help of God," Benedict said.

Advent is "a time of great religious inspiration, because it is steeped in hope and spiritual expectation," Benedict said.

How can we change the world? Most of us our lucky if we can change our underwear--as in find a clean pair waiting for us. Change the world? Is this Pope kidding?

No. He's serious. He's also right. We can change the world.

In fact, we Christians have done that before.

Just ask twelve Galilean fishermen. They probably have some strong opinions as to what any of us can accomplish with God's help.

We can do what they've done through the same methodology. We can witness to Christ, the Savior of the World. We can allow others to discover his Presence when we act according to the Spirit that he's given us. We can encourage others to find in him the exceptionality that changes their lives. We do this by being those through whom they encounter Christ.

That means doing the things we've been called to do all along. Love our neighbor as ourself. Give the best of ourselves to everyone our lives touch. Share the joy in our hearts that comes from communion with our beloved. Sing. Show our gratitude for the precious gift of himself that we receive daily. Bear the light that he shines into the world through our commitment to him.

We change the world every time we allow Christ to be present in the world through our witness. Twelve uneducated fishermen from a provincial backwater carried on the movement of faith that today claims two billion disciples. And we today believe we can't change the world?

We change it every day, for better or worse. Let's change it for him, beginning this Advent. Ultreya!