This morning, my unusual Advent calendar offered up a coin. At first, I laughed. A coin? Do people still use coins? Is the calendar running low on ideas? Shouldn't it be a Bitcoin? Anyway, as I held it, I started to reflect: how often does such a small, unassuming object hold so much meaning? Coins can represent wealth, effort, and generosity—or the lack of it. Today, this little token nudged me to ask, Am I being generous with what I have?
Advent is a season of preparation—not just decorating our homes or checking off our shopping lists but preparing our hearts to receive Christ. This third week, with its focus on joy, reminds us that true happiness flows from a heart transformed by love. And generosity, even in small acts, is one way we participate in that transformation.

The readings today echo this theme. Genesis speaks of Judah’s scepter—a promise of leadership and kingship fulfilled in Christ. Meanwhile, the Gospel genealogies might seem like a long list of names, but they trace God’s faithfulness to humanity through generations. These scriptures remind us that we are heirs of a rich spiritual legacy. How can we honor that gift? By giving freely of ourselves—our time, talents, and resources.
This aligns beautifully with today’s "O Antiphon": O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge! Wisdom invites us to see beyond worldly treasures and to invest in what truly matters: love and service.

Generosity isn't about the size of the gift but the love behind it. Remember the widow in the Gospel who gave two small coins? Jesus praised her not for the amount but for the spirit of her giving—she gave from her heart, trusting in God’s provision. That’s the kind of generosity Advent calls us to cultivate.
Reflecting on this, I think about the times I’ve hesitated to give—worried about scarcity, doubting if my small contribution would make a difference. But God doesn’t measure our gifts by worldly standards. A simple act, done with love, can bring light to someone’s darkness.

Advent challenges us to examine how we use what we’ve been given. Am I sharing joy with others? Am I acting justly and living with integrity? These questions guide us to align our actions with our faith.
Here’s a practical invitation: today, let’s do one concrete act of generosity. Maybe it’s donating to a food pantry, calling a lonely neighbor, or spending time in prayer for someone in need. Even a coin—small but meaningful—can spark joy when offered with love.

As Christmas draws nearer, let’s take the wisdom of the O Antiphon to heart: seek the path of true knowledge, which is the way of love. And let’s remember the words of Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). May we, like the widow, give not out of excess but out of trust and love.

This Advent, may our generosity be a reflection of the greatest gift we’ve received: Christ Himself.