Ideas for a Great Advent

Every Advent we enter into the life of the Israelites who for centuries waited in great anticipation for the coming of the Messiah. Advent is a time to step back from the busyness of our lives and focus on what is most important - faith and family. The Advent wreath, the beautiful music, the rich liturgical prayers help create a deep desire to once again encounter our Savior.

Advent is fundamentally the season of desire, first of all of God’s desire for us and then of our desire for God. “We have come to know and believe in the love God has for us” (1 Jn. 4:16). All other religions are man’s search for God. Catholicism is God’s search for man. We can neither understand nor celebrate the Advent mysteries in all their fullness, without this fundamental conviction. God desires your love.

Here are some ideas to help you cultivate your desire for God.

1. Mass: God commands us to go to Sunday Mass to worship Him in order to keep His day holy. He does not need our worship. God is perfect in Himself. He commands us to worship Him at Mass every week because we need it. If you have not been coming to Mass weekly, then see this as a time to make it a priority again. If you are already devoted to Sunday Mass then add a day or two to the schedule, and go to daily Mass - you’ll never regret it.
2. Prayer (30 minutes a day) is essential to our daily lives. Try praying the Rosary as a family each evening, pray with the Sunday scriptures throughout the week, pray the Divine Mercy chaplet, or read a spiritual book.
3. Confession: Our desire for God grows deeper and wider as we experience his forgiveness and mercy through the sacrament of confession. "God never tires of forgiving; it is we who tire of asking." (Pope Francis)
4. Adoration: Make some time to visit our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. The Eucharist is His Real, Substantial Presence among us (Emmanuel). You will not leave unchanged. You will powerfully encounter God's desire for you.

May God give each of us a deeper longing and desire to encounter His merciful love this Advent!