Advent with St. John Henry Newman
Reflections by Fr. Jason Smith, LC
There’s nothing like the winter’s first snowfall. The world outside is hushed—no birds, no footsteps, no cars—only soft white against the gray dawn. Even dull things look new; everything has changed overnight.
The first snow doesn’t just cover—it invites. In the silence, you can almost hear God’s gentle voice: “Behold, I make all things new.”
St. John Henry Newman reminds us that we don’t have to wait for heaven to experience such epiphanies: “We are even now permitted to see the King in His beauty, to behold the land that is very far off.”
Christ’s voice whispers through the ordinary. Even nature can become his word—snowfall, sunrise, silence—each a quiet revelation of his goodness.
Advent invites us to pause before beauty, to let wonder open the door to reflection, and to recognize that the beauty of creation itself is a preparation for the day when we shall see him as he is.
So let us listen as we pray: “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Reflect: When has the beauty of the ordinary—like snowfall or silence—helped you sense God’s presence? How might you listen more deeply for his voice in the simple, quiet, and ordinary moments of your day this Advent?
In this Advent series, Fr. Jason Smith draws from his personal experiences and St. John Henry Newman’s own Advent sermons, connecting themes like reverence, awe, and intimately encountering Christ in the simplicity and stillness of ordinary life. Pray with us on The Regnum Christi App, sign up to have each day’s reflection delivered to your inbox every morning, or follow the RC Spirituality Center on Instagram and Facebook.
Ordained in 2006, Fr. Jason has served as a Legionary priest throughout the US, primarily in New York and Michigan. His newest role has called him south, as the superior of the Houston community of the Legionaries of Christ.
