By Bro. Al Vu, SDB
(Los Angeles, California) – As we enter the final week of Advent, we find ourselves on the cusp of celebrating the birth of Jesus, the most profound and transformative event in human history. In this season of preparation and anticipation, we are called not only to await the coming of Christ but also to reflect on how we, as Salesian educators, can make room for Him in our hearts and in our world—especially by welcoming Him in the poor and marginalized, and guiding our students to be agents of transformation and justice.
Welcoming Christ in the Poor
The birth of Jesus in a humble manger reminds us that God chooses to enter the world through the poor and the vulnerable. “He had no place to lay His head” (Luke 9:58), and He calls us to see Him in the faces of the poor, the oppressed, and those who are often overlooked by society. As Salesian educators, we are invited to reflect on how we can welcome Christ in the poor—not just those who lack material wealth, but also those who are poor in spirit, in hope, or in love. In the final weeks of Advent, we are reminded that the real “work of Advent” is not merely preparing our homes and classrooms for a festive season, but preparing our hearts to serve Christ in those who need us most. This Advent, let us take time to reflect: How are we serving the poor in our classrooms and communities? How are we teaching our students to recognize and respond to the needs of the marginalized? Let us be intentional in our service to those on the fringes, and help our students see that serving others is not an act of charity, but an encounter with Christ Himself.
Accompanying Our Students as Agents of Transformation
Advent is a season of transformation. The coming of Christ is the ultimate act of divine intervention to heal, redeem, and transform the world. As Salesian educators, we share in this mission of transformation, not only by educating minds but by shaping hearts to be agents of change.
Our students are not just future leaders—they are young people who can begin making a difference today. They can be catalysts for justice, love, and mercy right now. In these final weeks of Advent, we are called to accompany them in their own journeys of transformation. Let us inspire them to see that their faith is not just something to be practiced in private, but a powerful force for good in the world. We must ask ourselves: Are we creating spaces where our students are empowered to take action? Are we teaching them the values of justice, dignity, and respect for all people, especially those who are poor and oppressed? Let’s encourage them to act with compassion and courage, to be voices for the voiceless, and to stand up for those who are marginalized.
Justice as an Advent Call
Advent is not just a time of personal preparation; it is also a time of social reflection. The arrival of the Messiah was a call to justice, to peace, and to the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth. Jesus’ message was one of inclusion and justice—He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and embraced the outcast. As His disciples, we are called to do the same. As we accompany our students, let’s challenge them to live their faith as a call to justice. Let’s teach them that Advent is a season not only of waiting for Christ’s birth but also of preparing to work for His Kingdom. Justice is at the heart of the Gospel, and it is our responsibility to instill this in our students—to show them that to follow Christ means to work for a world where the poor are cared for, the oppressed are freed, and every person is treated with dignity.
Embracing Transformation in Our Own Lives
As we prepare to welcome Christ into our world, let us also remember that we must first welcome Him into our own hearts. Advent is a time of personal transformation—a time to ask ourselves: How am I being called to change, to grow, to become more like Christ? We, as Salesian educators, are constantly forming and shaping others, but we must also allow ourselves to be shaped by the grace of this season.
This Advent, let us reflect on how we can open our hearts wider, how we can be more attentive to the needs of those around us, and how we can make our classrooms and communities places of justice, peace, and love.
A Call to Action
As we approach Christmas, let us make this Advent a time of deep reflection, not just on the coming of Christ, but on how we, as educators and as believers, can transform the world around us. Let us walk with our students on this journey of faith and justice, teaching them to see Christ in every face, especially those who are poor or suffering. May we, like Mary and Joseph, make room in our hearts and our lives to welcome Christ in the humble places—especially in the poor and the marginalized. And may we inspire our students to be not just followers of Christ, but active agents of His love and justice in the world.
An Advent Prayer
Lord Jesus, as we prepare to celebrate Your birth, help us to welcome You not only in our homes and classrooms but in the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering. Give us the grace to be agents of transformation and justice, guiding our students to recognize and respond to the needs of the world.
May we, in our words and actions, make room for You in the lives of those who need Your love the most. Amen.