Good morning, everyone. Let me start with a little confession. This morning, I opened my Advent calendar to find today’s "gift"—a paperclip. My first reaction? “A paperclip? Really? Who decided this was festive?” But as I thought about it, the paperclip started preaching to me. What does a paperclip do? It holds things together. It takes papers scattered across a desk and brings them into one neat, unified stack. And it hit me—what in my life feels scattered? What feels disconnected, out of order, or just plain messy? More importantly, how is Christ inviting me to bring it all together in Him?

This is exactly what Advent is about. It’s a season to pause and reflect on what’s out of place in our lives, in our families, and in our world. It’s a time to reconnect—to Christ, to one another, and to the hope we’re called to live with.

Advent: Preparing for Two Comings

Advent is unique because it’s not just about looking back at Christ’s first coming as a baby in Bethlehem. It’s also about looking forward to His second coming in glory. We live in this in-between time, waiting and preparing. And that’s not always easy, is it? Life pulls us in so many directions, and we can lose sight of what’s truly important. But Advent reminds us to stay awake, to be vigilant, and to live with hope. It’s like Isaiah says in our first reading: “Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, that He may instruct us in His ways.”

Now, climbing a mountain takes effort, doesn’t it? It requires us to leave behind distractions and pack only what we need. That’s what Advent invites us to do spiritually. It’s a call to slow down, set aside the clutter, and make room for Christ in our hearts.

The Gospel: Faith That Amazes Jesus

In today’s Gospel, we meet the centurion, a Roman officer who asks Jesus to heal his paralyzed servant. This man, a foreigner, surprises everyone with his faith. He doesn’t ask Jesus for proof. He doesn’t demand a grand gesture. He simply believes: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”
Jesus is amazed by this faith! And I wonder, does our faith amaze Jesus? Or does He find us distracted, doubting, or maybe too scattered to notice His presence? 

Advent is a time to ask ourselves these hard but healing questions. Where do I need to trust Jesus more? What parts of my life feel paralyzed—relationships, hopes, even my prayer life—and need His healing?

Practical Applications: Let the Paperclip Preach

So, let’s go back to that paperclip. What feels disconnected in your life right now? Maybe it’s a relationship that’s strained, or a part of your spiritual life that’s fallen through the cracks. Advent is a chance to bring those scattered pieces to Christ. He’s the one who holds everything together.

Here’s a simple Advent challenge: each morning this week, take a moment to ask, “Lord, what part of my life do you want to heal or reconnect today?” And then listen. Be vigilant like the centurion, attentive to His presence, and hopeful for the ways He wants to work in you.

Conclusion: Walking in the Light

Isaiah’s vision of nations streaming to God’s mountain and swords turning into plowshares is a beautiful image of peace and unity. It’s what happens when we let Christ hold us together. So let’s walk in His light this Advent. Let’s rejoice, as the psalm says, as we climb closer to Him.

And if you find a paperclip lying around today, maybe it’s God’s little nudge to you. Hold it up, smile, and let it remind you: Christ is the one who gathers the scattered, heals the paralyzed, and brings us into perfect unity with Himself. Amen.