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Things to help us prepare for Christmas
Sunday, December 3, 2000, is the First Sunday of Advent. The joyous season of Christmas is preceaded by a great season of preparation. The vestaments are violet, the color of hope and expectation. We wait for the one who has already come. We long for the One we have already received. We prepare for the one who lives within us. As Christians, we believe that the Messiah, the long awaited one who was fortold in the Sacred Scriptures has already come. Yet, we wish to open our hearts, our lives and our homes that He may come anew. Advent is a three-fold preparation. First, we recognize that Christ was made man in the womb of the Virgin Mary and we prepare to celebrat with love, the feast of His birth. Secondly, we know that He promised to come again at the end of the world, and the end of time as we know it. We must collectively prepare, so that Christ will be welcomed when He comes again in glory. Finally, although we prepare for His final coming, reality tells us that He may call of from this world before His final and glorious return. We prepare our personal lives, so that we are prepared to meet Him whenever He may call us home.
Having a deeper relationship with Jesus and opening our hearts to His grace is not always an easy task, it takes a lot of hard work. That is the primary purpose of Advent. What must I do to open myself to the coming of Christ? Advent preparation is simple. It does not take something extraordinary. We are called to accept the basic message of the Gospel, "Repent! The Kingdom of God is at hand." The Church is a great Mother, caring for Her children and leading them to Christ. She provides us with the means to respond to the Gospel call. Advent is a time for soul searching. How have I kept Jesus out of my life? What doors have I not opened to allow Him into all areas of my life? What areas of my life do I need to give to Him that He remake me according to His image? It is only by His grace that I can become who He wishes me to be. We must begin by looking inward, making a good and prayerful examination of conscience. Than taking those areas to Jesus for His healing mercy. Daily Mass opens our hearts to God's grace. Jesus comes into our lives to transform and strengthen us. Frequent Confession helps us to look in, see where we have failed, sinned, trangressed, and than we are given the grace to start again. Our Baptismal grace is stirred up and we are given renewed life in God. Reading the Scriptures helps us to know Him whom we seek. Who is this Jesus of Nazareth that we long for? The answers can be found in the Gospels. finally, we need to turn to Mary, His mother. Who knows the way to a man's heart better than his mother. Our Lady know how to lead us to her Son better than anyone else. We join Our Lady in prayer as we meditate on His life through the mysteries of the Holy Rosary. To help your your preparation, a list of the Advent Mass readings may be found at the bottom of this page. Father in heaven, Increase our longing for Christ our Savior
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