Groundhogs Day is an Advent Movie
Groundhogs Day, the 1993 movie starring Bill Murray, is an Advent movie. You can argue with me but you'd be wrong. If you have never seen this classic go watch it now! I'll wait.
I'll recap it just in case. Bill Murray's character is an unhappy, cynical weather man named Phil who is sent to the small town of Punxsutawney to report on whether or not the groundhog sees his shadow. Phil feels like he is beyond this as a reporter. He is tired of it all. Tired of the same old people, the same old jokes, the same old everything year and year. He gets through the day letting everyone around him know how stupid this all is and then goes to sleep, only to relive the same day over again and again and again.
Like Phil, we sometimes take Advent for granted. We hear the same readings at Mass each year, share the same traditions with
Family and friends, and hear the same message over and over again. All along we are just waiting for something better to come along (ie: Christmas).
So what can we learn about Advent from Phil? Just as Groundhog's Day kept repeating, Advent may be the same year after year but what is different is YOU. You are another year old and wiser. You are coming to Advent with new life experiences and in a new season of your life.
I think if Phil could give you any advice about life or Advent it would be this: It's about the journey and those you meet along the way.
At the beginning of the movie, Phil just wants to get Groundhog's day over with. He feels above everyone and everything. He is rude and hurts a lot of people. He even tries some extreme measures to get rich, to feel good, and even to end it all, but none of that helps.
It isn't until Phil stops focusing on his wants, starts to care about others, and the enjoying journey that he is able to get to the next day. If we want to make it to "the next day", aka Christmas aka Heaven, we also have to stop focusing inward and enjoy the journey of Advent.
Live this Advent for others. Go to Mass with friends, volunteer locally, organize gifts for a family in need, or invite someone who lives far from home to your family celebrations.
Do all the Advent things with joy. Whether you decorate a Jesse tree, light the Advent wreath each week, or read the Gospel of Luke one chapter at a time all December, do it like it's the first time because you are a new you this year. You're not the same person who went through Advent last year and God is speaking to you right now through His Word, His Church, and all those you encounter. He wants to prepare your heart to receive Him.
Phil relived Groundhog's day thousands of times before he got it right. How many times will you have to relive Advent before you joyfully open your open your heart to the Lord? He is waiting for you.
KRISTINA BLAIR
Kristina is a Catholic mom, speaker, and recovering New Yorker. After spending over a decade as a theology teacher, youth minister, basketball coach and Faith Formation Director in the Diocese of Brooklyn, she now serves in the Diocese of Orlando. Kristina loves to sing, have lunch at Disneyworld, and watch movies with her tween son, Kyle. She is passionate about St. Edith Stein, tacos, Social Justice, Doctor Who, and God's love for each of us. Kristina has an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies from St. Francis College in Brooklyn and a Master's Degree from St. John's University in Pastoral Theology. Her Guardian Angel's name is Pat Pat.
