What is it that you like best about Advent? It is not an easy question to answer because most of Advent these days becomes obscured by the early celebration of Christmas.
For example, when I was a child, we used to decorate for Christmas on December 24th. Nowadays we start decorating for Christmas in November and if we did as the stores want us to do, we would decorate for Christmas in September! So you see, Advent, that precious time when we look at our hearts and look for the coming Jesus, it gets lost in Early Christmas!
As a child, I loved Advent Calendars. We got to open a special little door each day that hid a picture of Jesus or the saints. My brothers and I would take it in turns.
This week, we light candle number two on our Advent Wreath, which is another way celebrate Advent but apart from those things, how do we celebrate Advent and what is it that we most like about it?
For me, it is the color green: evergreen. The fresh green of a wreath, evergreen plants, spruces and fir trees, all these colors point me to Jesus, who is ever-present, ever-true, and ever-loving. He is the permanent fixture in our world that is always changing.
These Advent colors point me to Him.
As you ponder Advent in the days to come, think about how any of what you are experiencing, points you to Jesus. A suggestion is to maybe look at the readings we use for Mass during this time. They are very rich and often poetic.
Another suggestion is to ask yourself about Hope: what do I hope for during these days? What do I yearn for? And what does Jesus say to me about all those things.
Remember, Advent lasts only four weeks, so you had better be quick to answer the question: what do I like best about Advent?
Advent is a time to examine your heart. Make sure you are ready for when Jesus comes!
Father Jeremy Thomas, Pastor
For example, when I was a child, we used to decorate for Christmas on December 24th. Nowadays we start decorating for Christmas in November and if we did as the stores want us to do, we would decorate for Christmas in September! So you see, Advent, that precious time when we look at our hearts and look for the coming Jesus, it gets lost in Early Christmas!
As a child, I loved Advent Calendars. We got to open a special little door each day that hid a picture of Jesus or the saints. My brothers and I would take it in turns.
This week, we light candle number two on our Advent Wreath, which is another way celebrate Advent but apart from those things, how do we celebrate Advent and what is it that we most like about it?
For me, it is the color green: evergreen. The fresh green of a wreath, evergreen plants, spruces and fir trees, all these colors point me to Jesus, who is ever-present, ever-true, and ever-loving. He is the permanent fixture in our world that is always changing.
These Advent colors point me to Him.
As you ponder Advent in the days to come, think about how any of what you are experiencing, points you to Jesus. A suggestion is to maybe look at the readings we use for Mass during this time. They are very rich and often poetic.
Another suggestion is to ask yourself about Hope: what do I hope for during these days? What do I yearn for? And what does Jesus say to me about all those things.
Remember, Advent lasts only four weeks, so you had better be quick to answer the question: what do I like best about Advent?
Advent is a time to examine your heart. Make sure you are ready for when Jesus comes!
Father Jeremy Thomas, Pastor
