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Preparing for Advent
Advent is the season of preparation - getting ready for Jesus. Are you ready for His coming during this wonderful time of year? His coming in the flesh Son of God, Son of Mary. His Birth is the central event in human history. Christ came into the world and His birth has affected the world as none other. Come join us as we prepare to receive Him!
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The Advent season and the Holiday Season coincide but are quite different in their purpose. When this is not understood properly, it is easy to get caught up in the ‘gift-giving’ and the Advent aspect can easily be put in the background. It is not enough to simply light a candle every Sunday during Advent but to focus on the meaning of the candles all through the week. As well as using the missal to pray over the scripture readings, and other readings that are often put in the daily missals that people have subscribed to.
There is nothing wrong with the holiday season. Yet one can get carried away by the cultural binge on hyperactivity which can take away from the experience of waiting for the birth of Our Lord. To focus on the meaning of Christ-Mass can soothe the soul, grounding it in what is truly important and meaningful. The gift of Advent is, of course, Jesus, who is the revelation of the Father’s love. For to see Jesus is to see the Father.
It can be a time to let go of habits that we do every day that can actually be a waste of time. To spend some time pondering the Incarnation in prayer can be done a set times every day. True, it takes discipline, but it is discipline, that keeps us focused, and the tendency to be run haggard lessens.
It is a busy time, try to find some time to simply be, to rest in the Lord’s presence in this Holy Season of Advent. Advent can be a buffer from the madness that seems to overtake people at this time, leaving them depressed, and exhausted when the Advent/Christmas season is over.
Also, if this time of the year is depressing and brings back memories and experiences that are distressing, changing focus from the parties' and good cheer to the Incarnation, can be truly healing.
When someone wishes me a happy holiday season, I return the greeting. When someone says Merry Christmas, I of course return that blessing as well.
The gift-giving season can be truly joyful. That joy will deepen when we understand that ‘The-Gift” is a revelation of God’s love in Jesus Christ. This Advent, make your faith something real.-Br.MD
