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For Catholics, the liturgical season of Advent helps us focus on the spiritual preparation for Christmas and on the coming of Our Lord. So here are some good suggestions to prepare for Christmas this Advent:
First, make an Advent wreath. The wreath is a circle, which has no beginning or end: God is eternal, and His love for us is everlasting. The wreath is made of fresh plant material because Christ came to give us new, everlasting life through His passion, death, and resurrection. Do you need help finding one? Contact Marie in the Parish Office for assistance.
Second, pray. Hopefully, prayer already is part of your daily routine, but if not, try making it one this Advent. Schedule a regular time for prayer. And pray for the intentions of those listed in this Advent Newsletter.
Third, read sacred Scripture. This liturgical year, the Sunday Gospel passages will be taken primarily from St. Mark. However, do not just read the Gospel; rather, spend a few minutes reflecting upon it, inserting yourself into the passage, and allowing the Holy Spirit to speak in the quiet of your heart.
Fourth, take the time for Confession. Fr. Andrew would love to come by for a visit, to hear your Confession, and to bring you the Blessed Sacrament. This would be done using all the safety measures required to assure pandemic protection.
Fifth, preach. To preach, you do not have to stand before a crowd or on the corner shouting Bible verses. There are subtle ways to preach Christmas: Most of us send some kind of greeting card - use religious cards and religious stamps and sign them with “May God bless you” or “I’ll be praying for you at Christmas.”
Finally, give. Start with a blank calendar. Each day do a good work - say a prayer for a person or make a sacrifice for a special intention. Whatever the good work, write it in the blank space. At the end of Advent, you will have a beautiful gift for the Lord.
So, prepare this Advent to receive Christ as though He were coming for the first time. Make this Christmas a celebration of the birth of Our Savior and the great gift of faith we have received. By striving to live in the presence of Christ during Advent, we will receive the best present of all — Our Savior.
Unshakeable Joy!
A FREE Online Advent Retreat
If you are looking for an Advent Retreat, consider signing up for Unshakeable Joy!
This Advent, join Cardinal-elect Raniero Cantalamessa and Chris Stefanick for a FREE 26-day retreat all about JOY, beginning November 29th!
Cardinal-elect Raniero Cantalamessa preaches a weekly sermon during Advent and Lent in the presence of the Pope, and this Advent, he will be preaching directly to YOU.
With daily inspiration to help you see your everyday life in light of the greatest story ever told, this journey will help you have a lasting joy that doesn’t come from a change in your circumstances. It’s a joy that comes from a source that’s UNSHAKEABLE.
CLICK HERE to sign up for this FREE Advent Retreat!
