Maranatha
Come, Lord Jesus come.
Advent should be a time of preparation, of hopefully waiting for the coming of Christ. And yet all too often we find ourselves swept up by the busyness of rampant consumerism, the hectic scramble to the mall that we rush forward to Christmas never recognizing nor celebrating the season of Advent. Instead of coming to Christmas prepared to welcome the Christ child again, so many people find themselves stressed and tired hoping for the holidays to just be over.
It does not have to be this way. Why not this year celebrate the season of Advent, slow down, spend less, give more of yourself, and wait for the coming of Christmas? You might just find that the joy of Christmas takes on a deeper meaning.
Stop by the website everyday for a new Advent Video Reflection and check out these resources to help you prepare for Christmas.
- Be sure to pick up your copy of The Little Blue Book in the chapel. It provides wonderful prayer and reflection resources for each day of Advent and Christmas.
- Advent Conspiracy was started by four evangelical pastors to help their communities to better prepare for Christmas. Since it's beginning, AC has grown to include congregations and individuals around the world. The concept is simple; our faith is about relationships so why not this year "Give Presence". Check out their website for additional resources and ways you can truly be transformed this Christmas.
- Creighton University produces excellent on-line resources to help you celebrate Advent. They have daily prayers and reflections that you can use individually or with your friends and family.
- The USCCB has produced an online Advent Calendar to help you prepare for the coming of Christ as well as many other resources for prayer and reflection.
- The Catholic Worker has posted Advent reflections from Dorothy Day that help us reflect upon the poverty of Christ.
