Happy New Year!

Yesterday we began the new liturgical year within the Church. It is an exciting time to say the least! As we begin our Advent journey towards Christmas and the celebration of Christ’s birth, it’s important that in the rush to prepare for the secular part of Christmas that we don’t take this time for granted. We must slow down and recognize the importance of the Advent season. It isn’t merely the time we need to shop for gifts but instead it is time set aside to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Savior.

The word Advent is derived from the Latin word adventus. It means “coming” or “arrival”. Advent is the season in which we prepare for the coming of Christ. But while we are preparing for Christmas and the birth of our Savior (the first coming of Christ), we are also preparing for the second coming of Jesus.

At Mass our priest reminded us that Advent is not a penitential season but instead the season of hope and joy. And really, he is right because what could be better than preparing to meet the Lord? The Church, in her wisdom, has given us the gift of time to prepare a place in our hearts for Jesus to reside. The question remains- will we take the time to prepare a place for Him?

I pray that during this Advent season we each will set aside time to contemplate on the hope, peace, joy, and love that God brings to us through Christ our Savior.

Have a blessed Advent season and may your new year be filled with God’s light, love, mercy, and hope