What is advent?
During this busy time of the year, it is important to take time to prepare our hearts for the coming of the newborn Child at Christmas and to remember Jesus’ promise to return and renew Heaven and Earth.
Advent starts on Sunday November 27 and lasts for 4 weeks, up to Christmas. It is time to stay awake and be aware. Let us turn our hearts toward this beloved presence and give our heart full attention to Jesus who joins us on every step of the journey. Let our hearts be focused on Christ.
Advent is the time for remembering and reflecting on the birth of our Lord and Savior. As we await his coming, let us welcome Jesus and open our doors to others who are weary and reach out to them. Let us reflect and see how we can practice hospitality and kindness of heart today?
Start a new life, don’t allow anyone to take away your peace. Let go of your resentment. God wants us to forgive, the Lord waits for us, and it is time to ask forgiveness. Are there any grudges in you that need to be released? The peace of God allows us to look at others through Jesus’ eyes. Let us look for possibilities for reconciliation.
Thank God the Father for the gift of His Son. What is your gift to him? Thank Jesus for His coming. Take time to celebrate the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love that Jesus sent to us on that first Christmas.
Ask Jesus to come and live in you, “come in me and help me to persevere”. He will come again and revive our hope. Jesus Christ, Father, I pray that you will turn our hearts toward you as Christmas approaches.
We have a choice to make, to trust in Jesus.
“In the beginning was the Word and The Word was with God and the Word was God and he came to live among us and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1, 1, 5 Every word in scripture points to the gift of hope that we have because of Christ Jesus.
Thank God the Father for the gift of His Son. “During this Advent season, I will keep alert and be awake, listening for His word and keeping to His precepts. My hope is in you.” ~ Matthew Kelly
Sometimes an advent wreath with 4 candles is used to remind us about the 4 weeks of advent, where one candle is lit every week to represent hope, faith, joy, and peace.
Every week a song or prayer can be said in front of the wreath…
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem O come and behold Him, born the King of Angels
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord
Dec 8th will be the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, who was to give birth to her son Jesus, on December 25th. The child in Mary’s womb contained the seed of divinity…………..
