ADVENT 2023
It’s here!! The Season of Preparation, Anticipation and Reflection
Advent-Adventus (Latin) meaning The Coming and weeks away from Christmas morning. We are now in the season of preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. For celebrating the anniversary of his first coming. The opening of the Liturgical year. And yes, it begins with 24-days of repentance, reflection, and yes! more waiting. But the “more waiting” also is preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ where He will make things right. Sounds like it’s a long, long and long time away from this moment. But is it really? We know not the hour or the day when our Master will come.
This is a season of Hope, Peace, Love and Joy.
Yearning for Hope that peace will come in the world and in all aspects of our lives. Hope for those who don’t know this season, to hear the voice of God inviting them to this Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Don’t forget to pray for the forgotten.
Yearning for Peace in our families, between our government officials, between the 50-states within our country. Peace between the different countries in the world, peace in areas we don’t think exist where strife without hope or love battling life. Where is Advent for them? Don’t forget to pray for those lost.
Yearning for Love between one another. Love for our enemies, because they don’t know love or how to give love. More importantly, love for God who gave the Beloved One for the many, for you and me. Pray to hear His voice this season. Pray to find Jesus like Mary and Joseph finding Jesus in the Temple.
Yearning for the Joy of Emmanuel, the Messiah, the Birth of the Christ Child. O how full our hearts will be on that Christmas morning of Peace, Hope, and Love in each one of us filling that cup of Joy.
The next four weeks we will reflect on the Gospels of the Liturgical Year B. Also, we will light our Advent candles for each gift with a small prayer throughout this season of anticipation.
Advent candles: Purple-royalty and penance; Pink-roses and turning away from penance to celebration.
Advent-Calendar-2023 English.pdf (usccb.org) and The "O Antiphons" of Advent | USCCB
What is an Advent Wreath? | USCCB plus the Blessing of an Advent Wreath | USCCB