December 1, 2024
I was preparing to host a family gathering in early November, and I needed to replace a broken cooler. I decided that while picking up some food items at Costco, I could also pick up a new cooler. That was not to be, for coolers are a seasonal item at Costco, and Christmas merchandise had already replaced coolers and summer goods. Indeed, we started seeing Christmas decorations in stores and around our neighborhood. Still, you won’t see the church decked out in Christmas lights and decorations yet, for the Church recognizes Christmas and Advent as two different liturgical seasons, and the Christmas season isn’t upon us yet.
The Advent season and new Liturgical year begin this Sunday. The Advent season dually prepares us for the First Coming of the Son of God and His Second Coming at the end of time. The First Coming is the Incarnation at Christmas, the mystery of God becoming man in the person of Jesus Christ. The Son of God became man for the salvation of humanity as expressed in the Gospels, “The Word became flesh” – John 1:14. This is an expression of God’s divine love and care for us. The Second Coming is when Christ comes in glory at the end of time.
Advent is a period of devout and expectant joy as we engage in remembrance and hopeful anticipation. Here are some things we can do alone or with our families to heighten our awareness, remembrance, and hope during this season:
Intensify prayer. Renew a commitment to deepen your prayer life. Make a time when you’re fully alert and uninterrupted to engage in more persistent and focused prayer to prepare for the mystery of the Incarnation.
Acts of almsgiving. Engage in charity and good works. Give money, goods, and services to the poor and needy. Be the love and hand of Christ in the world.
Reflect on God’s presence. Pause and contemplate the presence of God in the world and your daily life. See Him in nature and the people around you.
Honor Mary and Joseph. Advent is particularly suited for devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. Engage in Novenas, Marian prayers, and reflections.
Gather together. Bring your family together around the Christmas tree or nativity scene. Light an Advent candle weekly and share reflections and joy for the season. You can also find things to do as a community in the church or Special Advent programs near you.
These practices and habits we can establish enrich the Advent Season and help us and our families prepare spiritually and practically for Christmas and the Second Coming.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.