Although the Sunday readings today leaned toward the end of the world, this first Sunday in Advent I lit the Prophet's Candle. The Prophet's Candle is a name for the first purple candle on the Advent wreath. The Prophet's Candle stands for all those predictions of the coming Messiah. It is a candle that stands for Hope coming into the world.
I am preparing for something that already has come, but will come again. It is practice, like a fire drill. Where will I be when My Lord comes for me?
As I think over my preparations for Advent, I plan to pray. I will have a few opportunities to do things at church, to raise my heart toward God. I have been praying Mary, Un-doer of Knots. This is a favorite prayer of Pope Francis and I think it is one of mine now. I plan to pray a few more rosaries than I have been. I hope to get to Adoration a few more times. I plan to be mindful of God speaking in my life.
Service/ alms is both easy and hard. I give to charities. I do things for my family. I need to find a way to give with my heart. I am praying about that one. What gift can I give?
Learning about God is something I always seek, but sometimes time itself gets in the way. I need to just open up the Bible and read through one of the Gospels, I think. The other studies often don't hold my interest for long. I am reading the Little Blue Book this year again.
Acts of Penance are more private than I can put down here. Penance can reform my heart. And I must remember the parish Penance Service on Dec. 16th! (Unless I can get to Reconciliation sooner than that!)
And within all these spiritual goals I need to get Christmas cards done. I need to do a little shopping. I need to put up the tree, decorate the house, plan the family Christmas, and on and on. I am sure there will be a little weather thrown in for excitement and some other surprises both sweet and otherwise. Oh, Advent, what do you have in store for me?
I am preparing for something that already has come, but will come again. It is practice, like a fire drill. Where will I be when My Lord comes for me?
As I think over my preparations for Advent, I plan to pray. I will have a few opportunities to do things at church, to raise my heart toward God. I have been praying Mary, Un-doer of Knots. This is a favorite prayer of Pope Francis and I think it is one of mine now. I plan to pray a few more rosaries than I have been. I hope to get to Adoration a few more times. I plan to be mindful of God speaking in my life.
Service/ alms is both easy and hard. I give to charities. I do things for my family. I need to find a way to give with my heart. I am praying about that one. What gift can I give?
Learning about God is something I always seek, but sometimes time itself gets in the way. I need to just open up the Bible and read through one of the Gospels, I think. The other studies often don't hold my interest for long. I am reading the Little Blue Book this year again.
Acts of Penance are more private than I can put down here. Penance can reform my heart. And I must remember the parish Penance Service on Dec. 16th! (Unless I can get to Reconciliation sooner than that!)
And within all these spiritual goals I need to get Christmas cards done. I need to do a little shopping. I need to put up the tree, decorate the house, plan the family Christmas, and on and on. I am sure there will be a little weather thrown in for excitement and some other surprises both sweet and otherwise. Oh, Advent, what do you have in store for me?