Hello St. Mary Magdalene,

It is with great joy that we resume a format of the bulletin that enables us to include regular articles and catechetical/evangelical materials for your reference. To kick this off I want to reflect on the season of Advent.

Advent is too often overlooked, it’s sometimes viewed as a “mini Lent” a time of penance in preparation for Christmas. Yet, that’s not actually what Advent is about; it’s about hope, joy, and expectation at the coming of Christ.

In other words, we follow the exhortation of Isaiah the prophet to, “Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!” (Isaiah 40:3). This exhortation invites us to spend time reflecting and preparing our hearts for Christ’s coming.

It can be so tempting to overlook Advent and jump straight into Christmas as we decorate, buy gifts, spend time with family and friends, that we can forget to turn in-ward and look at our hearts. Do we take time to enter into this expectant hope that characterizes the Advent season? Are we allowing ourselves to “get hyped” for Christ-mas? This serves not just to fulfill the mission of Advent, but, when done intentionally, even makes Christmas that much more joyful. Now, in theory, this sounds great, but how can I do that? Well, there are many ways but here are a few that have helped me in the past.

First, put up a Christmas tree but don’t light it yet, or, don’t decorate it; wait until Christmas for that. This way we can see the goal line but still have to march down the field in order to get there.

A second way could be taking on an additional spiritual discipline, such as reading scripture, a rosary, time in Eucharistic Adoration, etc. whatever it is, do something that will help you to see Christ more apparently in your daily life.

Third, spend time praying on why Christ came: to save us from sin. How does Christ still need to save you? What in your life are you still struggling with that Christ and His Love needs to permeate?

Fourth, put up an Advent wreath and make it an intentional activity and not just a decoration. Put it in a place of prominence in your home. Each week has a specific theme: Hope (1st week); Peace (2nd week); Joy (3rd week); Love (4th week). Hope because Christ is coming and celebrated by our new liturgical year. Peace in that in and through Christ all nations, persons, and divisions are reconciled in Him. Joy symbolized through the shepherds invited to come and adore the newborn king. Love expressed in Christ’s outpouring of Himself for our sake; becoming one of us so that we might live with Him!

Enjoy this Advent season, don’t skip it, let it and its themes guide you so that your joy might be always in Christ.

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