Happy Advent to all on the Forum! It seems to me that perhaps more than anytime in my life, this season has more meaning this year. Maybe it’s the sense of the need for Christ’s light more than ever? Maybe it’s a real sense that perhaps His second coming is nearer? Or maybe it’s a keener sense that as we prepare for Christmas this year, that our hearts be open - do not be afraid! Advent is a great opportunity to say WAKE UP! No time to slumber. Sooner or later we will be meeting our King and Judge. It may end of times or more likely our own personal time to be called. It’s not a fearful tone but a time to turn, convert and wait in joyful anticipation of our salvation. I thought it might be nice to have an Advent thread here where people might post their traditions , prayers, novenas, scripture, really any idea on how to prepare the Way of the Lord. Here is a quick start from today’s Morning Prayer: You know ‘the time’ has come: you must wake up now: our salvation is even nearer than it was when we were converted. The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon – let us give up all the things we prefer to do under cover of the dark; let us arm ourselves and appear in the light. - Romans 13:11-12
Here is a devotional to consider. https://stjosemaria.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-Advent-Devotional-1.pdf
Great reflection on today’s readings …. The Gospel is very direct…. “stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” https://joyintruth.com/beware-of-the-day-of-my-return/
The kids and I made our own Advent candles with a kit we got from Holy Heroes. We are also going to make a Jesse Tree for the first time, and we are going to read a different Christmas book each night in December.
This thread made me cringe more than a little. I feel so ill prepared and empty handed for Christmas. Always rushing to and from work. Sleeping during the day. At this time of the year it always seems to be the middle of the night in my life. Ideally I would so love to get to mass each day and have long periods in front of the Blessed Sacrament but this is never going to happen until I retire, whenever that may be. But the words of St Paul comfort me , that when I am weak , You are strong and that through grace you will make up for all that is lacking... with this in mind and certain of God's Promises I am sure this will be the very,very best Advent and Christmas Ever!! It may be that the Good Good will have to make a wonderful Marble and Gold Palace out of a heart of dry straw, but He is God..he can do it! So do it Lord! Make this the best Advent Ever! Prepare a Crib in my Heart for the Coming Christ Child. Mother Mary and St Joseph may I walk ever towards Lent beside you this Advent towards Bethlehem. I too am poor and travelling, let me join you in your Journey. The poorest of poor pilgrims.
I was just reading there that the Principle of a local school was saying that some pupils are coming each day to school hungry because of rising prices. This is one of the richest countries in the world. If they are hungry now, how will these families manage for Christmas? I would love for a Christmas/ Advent present to meet some of these families to help out. But these days people tend to live very much their own lives. I must try and give more to St Vincent De Paul...
Amen! I’m feeling similarly….with all the chaos in world and even in my family right now, it is good to expect God to be the God of Wonder Still.
I am hoping to get to mass every morning this week. The hype in the world is very concerning. Trying to concentrate on Jesus’s coming. Spent some time with our daughter and kids and my husband made her an Advent wreath which she did a lesson on- so thankful. The news is crazy- poor people in British Columbia as well. Jesus and Mother Mary and St. Joseph please help all and infuse graces and remove the veil so they will accept the graces. Please include my sons in your prayers and daughter worried about that booster.
