• Dr. Agnes S Thomas

As kids, preparing for Christmas was just as important—and magical—as the day itself. Those with musical Talent honed their caroling skills, while the creative ones built mangers using sticks, hay, and anything else they could find. Then there were the star makers, crafting shining symbols of the season. It was a time of immense joy, filled with hours spent in the church. The experience was both fulfilling and fun, something everyone eagerly anticipated. Notably, it was a season free of shopping—a tradition I still try to uphold as much as possible.

As an adult, my reflections on the season shift each year. Sometimes they are deeply influenced by the social or political climate; other times they are shaped by the tidings of my faith journey. Regardless of the situation, I often wonder how Mary and Joseph would have responded, what Jesus would have done, and so on.

As the season approaches this year, I am reflecting on a talk by our Archbishop, the Most Reverend Francis Leo. At a recent event, he spoke about listening, a sense of community, and hospitality as the antithesis to polarization. These are also core themes of the Christmas story, which is still unfolding.

Listening and discernment were central to everything that unfolded during Advent and afterward, enabling promises and prophecies to be fulfilled across generations, lands, and people. It makes one wonder: what if these events were to take place today? The circumstances would look so different with all our technologies and social advancements. There would be no need for a donkey; with the right resources, one could choose a mode of transportation to suit their preference and comfort. Accommodation options would be abundant and communication would be instantaneous—there is no need for a guiding star when GPS and smartphones are at our fingertips. There wouldn’t even be a need to travel. A video call via Zoom or WhatsApp could replace an in-person visit and gifts could be sent instantly, just a click away. But would these advancements help us discern what is truly good, deepen our connections, or bring us closer to one another?

While the question of whether the advancements of our society are genuinely accessible and equally beneficial to all remains, I want to shift our focus to how listening and discernment made the impossible possible during the first Christmas. Remarkably, the good news of that time continues to be shared—not stored away on a shared drive or in some cloud space, but living and active in our world today. This leads to a profound question: What if we, as humans, dared to pay closer attention to the stirrings of our hearts and the dreams within us? What if we truly mastered the art of deep listening—to ourselves, one another, and the world around us? Could we then become bearers of good news, channels of goodness, and beacons of hope in a world yearning for light?

Through deep listening and discernment, Mary, Joseph, the Magi and the shepherds knew precisely what they were meant to do. They recognized whom to follow and which direction to take, reading the signs of their times with clarity and conviction. Despite their challenges, they found the courage to act, trusting in a promise far greater than their understanding. They followed a bigger star, a more profound truth, and an enduring hope in their hearts.

We, too, could partner in grander plans—plans that bring joy, peace, and prosperity to all—if we genuinely commit to listening and discerning as Mary (Luke 1:26–38), Joseph (Matthew 1:18–25), the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12) and the shepherds (Luke 2:15) once did. They were humble and simple people, but what made them special was their willingness, availability, trust, and faith—virtues that allowed them to become partners in God’s grander plan.

In this Advent season, as we reflect on the state of our world—a world fraught with turmoil, pain, and polarization—we are called to a deeper listening as people of faith. We are invited to pray for the grace to hear the cries of the poor, the broken-hearted and the oppressed. As we have witnessed in the Christmas story, this act of listening is not passive; it is the foundation for discerning how we can respond with justice, kindness and compassion.