This liturgical season in December is called Advent. It is to be a time of spiritual preparation for both the celebration of the birthday of Jesus and for the Second coming of Christ at the end of the world.

During these four weeks we await the birth of Christ, which is a joyful and a hopeful season of the year.

In the bible a prophet Isaiah, had foretold Jesus’ birth many centuries before it took place: A child will be born and be called “Emmanuel”.

At the beginning the Virgin Mary had been engaged with Joseph, of the house of David. She was found pregnant with a child from the Holy Spirit. An angel appeared to Joseph and told him to take care of her. She will bear a son and name him “Jesus”

“Joseph, son of David take Mary your wife, into your home it is through the Holy Spirit that this child is conceived in her, she will bear a son who will save his people from their sins.” Matt. 1- 18-21

To prepare ourselves for Advent it is a good idea to make a Christmas wreath to represent the four weeks of advent with 4 candles. The themes used for each week are Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.

“It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope.” Pope Benedict XVI

During this season, as you light your candle, you can meditate some bible texts in front of the wreath. Ask Jesus to kindle love in your heart and guide your path today.

-Isaiah 40:3: “A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

–Isaiah 30:18: “Truly, the Lord is waiting to be gracious to you, truly, he shall rise to show you mercy; for the Lord is a God of justice: happy are all who wait for him!”

Here are a few prayers you can say to make you draw closer to God during Advent in 2024.

  • Lord, give me the strength to have the same trust in you that Mary had, as she awaited the birth of Jesus.
  • God, be with me today, open my heart to the ways of Jesus.

First week theme is hope:

1st week  is HOPE

H-elp
O-ther
P-eople
E-verywhere

2nd week is PEACE

P-repare
E-ach
A-dvent
C-andle
E-veryday

3rd week is JOY

J-ust
O-pen
Y-ouself

4th week is LOVE

L-ove
O-ur
V-irgin Mary
E-veryone

As we celebrate the different feast days of Mary this month let us pray the Rosary of Peace, so that Jesus may transform our world in face of war as we await His coming again.