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Advent (Latin for "Arrival"):
A Season of Preparation
Many people have
difficulty with the holidays because of the stress caused by
commercialism. Some resign themselves helplessly to the consumer chaos
while others hold out to the bitter end and refuse to participate in any
way, making themselves "Christian Scrooges," if you will. Thankfully,
the ancient church gives us an alternative to this duality--the season
of Advent. Ironically, Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical
calendar, but takes place near the end of our modern calendar in late
fall and concludes in early winter.
A Looking
Back:
Advent
invites us to enter into the spirit of the ancient prophets who ached
for the coming of the Messiah. In meditating on the prophesies of
Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, and others, we prepare for the celebration of
the Incarnation (God becoming man)--in the nativity of Jesus Christ.
A Looking
Forward:
With
same hope the ancients had for the Messiah to come, we prepare for the
final return of Jesus as the Judge of Nations. It is a particular time
to pray, fast, and give ourselves to acts of service to others.
Contemplating "the end times" is not about charts and calendars, but a
preparation to stand before the Judge of Judges.
A Looking
Here and Now:
“The
spirit of the Advent liturgy, commemorating the age-long expectation of
the Redeemer, will prepare us to celebrate the mystery of the Word made
Flesh by arousing in each one of us an intimate, personal expectation of
the renewed coming of Christ to our soul” (Father Gabriel From Divine
Intimacy, 3).
Podcast: Why Celebrate Advent?
First
Week of Advent:
Waiting, Watching, Wondering
Scripture Readings
Accompanying Meditation
Prayer
Podcast: Awakenings
Second
Week of Advent:
Listen for what has not yet been Heard
Scripture Readings
Accompanying Meditation
Prayer
Third
Week of Advent:
A Lonely World Waits to Be Renewed
Scripture Readings
Accompanying Meditation
Prayer
The Long Walk to Nowhere (Bill
Helm)
Fourth
Week of Advent:
The Promise is Conceived from Eternity into Time
Scripture Readings
Accompanying Meditation
Prayer
Forward to Christmas
2008
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