Seen, Known, Loved This Advent

Where You Are, God Sees You
For many people, the holiday season is not the picture-perfect scene we see in magazines or movies. Instead, it can feel overwhelming, full of travel plans, hosting responsibilities, budgeting in a tough economy, work deadlines, and pressure to make everything perfect.

With so many mental and physical to-dos, worry can snowball quickly. Once it starts, it becomes hard to pause, breathe, and reset. In all of this, it is easy to give more attention to anxiety than to prayer, even though God is the One who brings real peace.

This year, the weight feels even heavier for many. Job loss, illness in families, and personal struggles can make Advent feel uncertain. If that is where you find yourself, please know this: God sees you. God cares for you. God is for you.

The Christian faith does not ask you to hide your struggles. It invites you to bring them to a Father who loves you exactly where you are.

Trusting the One Who Knows Your Heart
Throughout Scripture, Jesus meets people in their need. He listens to their fears, responds to their faith, and invites them to trust Him even when life feels impossible.

He tells us: “Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” - Matthew 17:20, NABRE

To two blind men who approached Him for healing, Jesus said: “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” - Matthew 9:29, NABRE

These words are not meant to place pressure on you. They are reminders that God is powerful and loves you deeply. He is able to move in your life in ways you may not yet see.

So ask yourself with hope, not fear:
• Do you believe He can open a new door of employment for you?

• Do you believe He can bring healing to someone you love?

• Do you believe He can restore a relationship that feels broken?

• Do you believe He can bring you a spouse or bless you with a child?

Even the smallest seed of faith is enough for Him to begin His work.

Little Moments That Lead You Back to Peace
You do not need to carve out hours of silence or have a perfect prayer routine to reconnect with God. He meets you in the small and quiet places of daily life.
• 20 minutes in a quiet chapel

• 15 minutes reading Scripture

• 10 minutes listing blessings and giving thanks

Little moments with God begin to soften the worry that builds up inside. They gently guide your heart back to what Advent is truly about: Christ. His coming, His presence, and His peace.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He sees your burdens, invites you to hand them to Him, and offers a peace that the world cannot give.

A Simple Prayer When You Feel Overwhelmed
When your thoughts start to spiral or your heart feels heavy, pause and rest in God’s presence. You can offer this simple prayer:

“God, You are a good Father and You see me in my struggles. I thank You for all the blessings You have given me, but I need Your help and guidance right now. Please take these anxieties away from me and replace them with unfailing hope and faith in You. Jesus, I trust in Your goodness and mercy. Amen.”