Advent as A Journey of Reflection

Interview with Sam Deitschel

Part Three from our “In Need of A Savior Day by Day” Series

Photo by Chelsey Shortman

Sam Deitschel is currently the director of youth ministry at St. Pius X Catholic Church in San Antonio, TX. She started this job in June after spending a year as part of the Notre Dame Alliance for Catholic Education Teaching Fellows teaching middle school social studies and being a campus minister in St.Paul, Minnesota. Sam studied History and Theology at the University of Dallas (UD). While at UD, Sam was an avid member of campus ministry, even co-directing Awakening retreat her Senior year. She was also the president and founder of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle at UD.

Sam’s Interview

Tell us about your past experiences with Advent. Is it a busy season, a time of intimacy with Jesus, or something else?

When I was growing up Advent was just another time when the Church switched which color was hanging on the wall and the color the priest wore. Honestly, I was more concerned about making sure I was not left out of blowing out the Advent candles after dinner. However, a few years ago Advent became more than just a changing of colors and blowing out the candles. I realized that Advent was a time for me to prepare my heart to receive Jesus completely. He is the best gift we do not deserve. While Advent can be busy with all the Christmas preparation for gifts and traveling, I have found it to be a busy time within as well. Advent is the season in which I try to re-frame my life to reflect Jesus more and fix my eyes to receive Him on Christmas. This has taken a few different directions. One year I chose to read the gospel of Luke and journal about it everyday. It helped me to become more in touch with Mary’s heart and her own preparation for Jesus. It was also important that I read the whole Bible to truly understand the gift that Jesus truly is to each of us, and how to open our hearts to Him. I have also done the Blessed is She, which focused on the relationship of Mary and Elizabeth. It was the best Advent I have ever had in my life. It allowed me to reevaluate my relationships with the women in my own life and come closer to God in this special season of the Church. 

Have you prayed with an image, song, or other piece of art during Advent? Tell us about it!

There are a few songs that I love to pray with in the Advent season. All of them would be categorized as Christmas songs, but they keep me focused in this time of Advent to keep my eyes on what is ahead. One of my all-time favorites is called “Just a Girl” by Brandon Heath. The song tells the story of Jesus’ birth from the perspective of the Innkeeper and his immediate recognition of Jesus’ as Lord after His birth. I love the evolution of faith because that is how I feel my heart is during Advent. I have to go on the journey to recognize Christ as Christmas again every year. My other favorite song to pray with during Advent is called “Leaving Heaven” by Matthew West featuring Vince Gill. This song is from the perspective of Jesus up in heaven telling us that he is coming to earth. He tells us where he will be born, what he will do on earth, and he tells us that we are the reason that he is leaving heaven. It even walks through his death and the noise he will make when he gets back to heaven, and that he will bring us with him. However, my favorite line in the songs says, “I’m the reason you’ll be seeing heaven.” I love praying with this song because it reminds me that Jesus would have left heaven just for me. It brings full circle our faith of Him being born to then suffer and die for us so He could have us in heaven with Him one day. 

Consider Mary and Joseph’s communal anticipation of their Son. How does their very real anticipation inspire yours?

I sometimes try to picture how Mary and Joseph would have felt in their anticipation for Jesus’ birth. I can picture them being more nervous than most parents because they knew their son was actually the Son of God! That is serious pressure, but they both bore it with such grace. It is so inspiring to me that they walked into the unknown in anticipation of Jesus not knowing what would happen next but knowing it would not be easy. I feel this same time of anticipation when I am praying for an answer or about what direction God wants my life to go. I only hope I can go through life with an ounce of the grace and faith of Mary and Joseph. 

As we anticipate our Savior, it can be difficult to be present or attentive to what God is calling us to in our everyday lives. How do you make space to be present in Advent and Ordinary Time?

The way I make space for God during Advent is always trying to add something to my everyday prayer life. It often involves reading scripture and journaling through my thoughts. This year I hope to again do the Blessed is She Advent series. I always try to be more aware of my own spiritual well being at this time. The season of Advent lends itself to do those self-checks more often and to a more intense degree. It is the time when I try to put an end to bad habits and form good ones in their place. During Ordinary Time I make space for God in music, journaling, and daily mass 2-3 times a week. I also work as a youth minister, so I try to be constantly offering all of my work up for God. I hope that His words are spoken through me rather than my own words or message. I also listen to Fr. Mike Schmitz homilies as often as possible. I am always working to try to make more space for God because although my work surrounds God and I do pour into my own relationship too, I know there is always more space for God in my life. 

This interview was compiled and edited by Ashley A. Hinojosa

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