Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

    Now that we have given thanks to God for all the many blessings we have received its time to fix our hearts and minds on that wondrous event of our Lord’s coming in the flesh.  This holy season of Advent allows us to be introspective and evaluate the spiritual progress made this past year and prepare us for new beginnings.  It is a new liturgical year and should be marked by a quiet sobriety.  However, we know that the opposite is what happens .  So how do we make the most out of this holy season?

     First, we recognize, as did our spiritual ancestors, that it is a time of waiting.  Not only are we waiting to celebrate the birthday of our Savior but we are awaiting His second coming in glory.  This begs the question: “Are we prepared should He come?”  As we would greet any visitor to our homes by cleaning up the place, since Christ seeks to visit our souls its only logical that we get them in order as well.  The Lord provides the cleaning supplies for that, namely the Sacrament of Confession.  That should be on the top of our Christmas preparation list.  Plan early to get that task done before being swept away by other lesser concerns.

     Secondly, slow down and pray.  Meditate, as did our Mother Mary, on the wonder of God’s love.  Think of Her preparation for the birth of Her Son, Her having to break the News to Her beloved Joseph, Her tending to Her cousin Elizabeth, Her and Joseph’s arduous trek to Bethlehem in the final days of Her pregnancy.  How did You do it Mary?  Only by the grace of God.  And isn’t that how we do it too.

A Blessed and Fruitful Advent.

Blessings,

Father Langan