December 19, 2025
“Train Station” - By Clarissa Cervantes
Jolly Reflection
By Clarissa Cervantes
“I am Gabriel, who stand before God.
I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.
But now you will be speechless and unable to talk
until the day these things take place,
because you did not believe my words,
which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” Luke 1:19-20
“The Twelve Days of Chaos” - By The Connolly Sisters
Proper time indeed! Waiting at a train station this Advent season, sipping hot cocoa while snowflakes are falling. The distant whistle of a train arriving mingled with the quiet hush of falling snow, deepening my sense of reflection.
Life’s journey is unfolding—irreversible and divinely timed. “You and I were given a one-way ticket to life!” No exchanges, no refunds, and no opportunity to return. This realization stands out as one of the biggest revelations in my spiritual journey, illuminated by moments of “jolly reflection,” grace, and many prayers.
Thanks to angels, messages continue to be delivered to people across the world just as they were when our Lord lived on Earth and during the times of Zechariah—messages to trust, to let go, and to believe. This Advent season, may we be attentive to the signs and messengers God places in our path, trusting that each moment is part of a greater journey. Perhaps—as St. Francis de Sales once said— “Make friends with angels who, though invisible, are always with you.”
And…just like in my vision at the train station, the star in the east continues to guide the wise men to Bethlehem to worship Jesus, the newborn King, The Destination.
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy” (Matthew 2:10). What a great joy it is to wait for the second coming of our Lord nowadays, as a never-ending adventure journey, during the “Middle Coming.”
“.. But let us not think of that advent only whereby the Son of man has ‘come to seek and to save that which was lost,’ but also of that other by which He will come again and will take us to Himself.”—St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Clarissa Cervantes is a poet, photographer, physical therapist, and researcher. Clarissa strives to create meaningful Catholic images to inspire and uplift readers.
Rachael, Joanna, and Shannon are three singing sisters based in NYC. “The Twelve Days of Chaos” is their debut single, with much of their genre-crossing music spanning the traditions of jazz, Broadway, folk, traditional pop, and sacred music.