Advent Topics
Advent begins the Church's liturgical year and is a special time of joy and anticipation. The true meaning of the season is often lost in the materialistic push of the season. Wether your looking for a parish mission for Advent or just a single talk to help parishioners restore the spirit of the season, Deacon Wally has a talk to do just that.
Advent the Forgotten Season
Let's face it; Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all happen between the months of October through December. Sure, the Church places four candles out, we mention this is the "new" year of the Church. We hear about Advent, but why don't we "celebrate" Advent? What is this short four-week season all about! Why did the Church establish this season? What are we anticipating? Let's find out!
Understanding the Season of Advent and Our Participation
We have four wonderful weeks of anticipation that is a time for repentance and preparation, similar to Lent. We anticipate the birth of our Savior and must consider how we are preparing ourselves for this encounter. There are so many wonderful ways that a family can participate and prepare together for this encounter with Christ. This is an important season to reflect and repent for our sins in preparation for the coming of Christ. Let's come to understand what this season is all about together.
Let Us Approach as Shepherds Did
We often hear the story of the three wisemen as they journeyed to Bethlehem, but why did the angles announce to the shepherds that Christ was born? Although both scenarios are more of a Christmas theme, as we are preparing for our encounter with Christ at His birth we can shape our approach to our Lord in the example of the shepherds. Are we worthy of this encounter to see the King of kings prior to the wisemen so traveled so far and wide? We are indeed!