This First Sunday of Advent 2016

This is the beginning! We are at the start of a new liturgical year and the beginning of Advent. This is the start of our preparation for the coming of Jesus! It is a time where we lift our hearts in great anticipation, as well as a time to look inward towards a humbling of our spirits, and a greater call to live for others.

One thing I love about the Church is how the liturgical year is ordered. It ends with the feast of Christ the King, and after celebrating the King, we move into a new year to await the coming of that King, making preparations to meet Him! This Advent we are striving to pray Night Prayer from the Liturgy of Hours each night as a family. This prayer helps us to reflect on our day, and to prepare ourselves for everything that the next day brings.

This time of year also reminds me of when the Saint Andrew Novena was first brought to my attention by none other than Claire! It is a special prayer that is prayed each day from the Feast of Saint Andrew until Christmas Day, which focuses on the hour and moment at which Christ was born. The intentions I have asked for when praying this prayer have been life-changing, one of them being the discernment of marrying Claire!

Today we went to Knox Farms for a family walk. As we walked by the lampposts (yearning to see Mr. Tumnus) I couldn’t help but think of the anticipation of the road ahead that leads to Christmas, and the beginning of this new year. When we got home, I dug out the box with all of our Christmas stuff, and we found our Advent wreath. I love the symbolism of our faith, and this time of Advent is rich with symbols. In this first week of Advent we light the first purple candle, which stands for hope. The hope of the coming of a Child. The hope of the coming of God. The hope of all things new!

We pray you have the hope of this season in your hearts and that you are filled with joyful anticipation for Christmas!

– M