At this time of year we prepare to celebrate the great feast of Christmas. During this month many shop for presents to give to family and friends on Christmas. Some decorate the outside of their homes with lights and many decorate the inside of their homes with flowers, wreaths and trees. Many send out Christmas cards. Yes, at this time of the year almost everyone is preparing to celebrate Christmas.
However, unfortunately, we can easily fail to make the most important preparation for Christmas by failing to enter into the Advent season.
Advent simply means “Coming.” During this four week period, which begins today, we prepare to celebrate both the first Coming of Christ, when he was born into our world over two thousand years ago, and we also prepare for his Second Coming at the end of time, when he will come to judge the living and the dead. We prepare for the Coming of Christ through prayer, the celebration of the sacraments, especially Reconciliation (Confession) and the Holy Eucharist, and by loving others as Jesus loved us. Pope St. John Paul II wrote: “Every year Advent reminds us that grace – and that is God’s will to save man – is more powerful than sin.”