Advent – a Time to Reflect
Today is the last day of our liturgical calendar. So Happy New Year! We begin the church’s new year tomorrow, November 28, which is also the first day of Advent. This year Advent is just one day shy of being the longest Advent season. Christmas is on a Saturday this year, if it was on a Sunday, then we have the longest Advent season. And since we have a long Advent season it means we have one of the shortest Christmas seasons, with Christmas ending January 9. I like parties, so I feel we are being shortchanged this year.
Advent has changed over the years. It really was a season to reflect upon the second coming of Christ. With the nights getting longer it gave people more time to think of their humanness and of the hope and promise God has given us. Instead, we seem to focus on the shortness of days and not having enough time to get everything done. Think of what you have done just in the last 3 or 4 days. Did you find any time to rest? Or pray? Or just sit in quiet and be?
We have an opportunity for you to find Advent this year. On December 8 we have a nationally known speaker, Mary Bielski, coming to help us frame our Advent season. There will be mass, her presentation, and then time for Adoration and confession. Come listen to her call to holiness and discover the beauty of our Catholic faith.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen