Advent: Preparing for the Coming of Christ

In the hustle and bustle of the weeks preceding Christmas Day, it is often difficult in this secular world to pause and recognize Advent as a period of preparation, prayerfulness, and the renewal of faith. And yet, taking the time to evaluate our lives, repent and turn fully back to the Lord is exactly what the Advent season is all about, for only in doing so can we truly prepare our hearts and souls for the coming of Christ.

“Advent is a time to get our lives together and to plan our resolutions for the New Year,” says Fr. Paul Key. “It is really a season for preparing for the Second Coming of Christ, and daily we should be living in the light of Christ’s Second Coming. Therefore, Advent is both a time of examination of conscience, repentance, and redirection, as well as encouragement.”

Traditionally, Catholics have refrained from decorating for or celebrating Christmas until the fourth week of Advent. Fr. Paul encourages parishioners to observe this period of self-examination in the same way. He also hopes that all members of St. Boniface will come to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation when it is offered in our parish.

During December, the Church also celebrates two important feast days related to the Blessed Mother — her Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8 and Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12. As Catholics evaluating the ways we are living out our faith daily, we could ask for no better example.

“There is a strong emphasis on the presence and the graciousness of the Blessed Mother during Advent,” Fr. Paul says. “She said, ‘Yes, let it be done to me according to Your Word,’ and that ought to be the way that we think — ‘Let me do it according to Your Word.’ She is there as a symbol of both holiness and chastity.”

Let us stay focused on the incredible gift of time that Advent offers each of us, so that we may enter more fully into the work of salvation.

“First Timothy 2:4 tells us God desires that all men be saved,” Fr. Paul says. “Nothing imperfect can enter heaven, so a season like this is a gift because it allows us to prepare — to get our lives together so we might be saved, with the initiatives of Christ who gave His life and of His mother, Mary. It makes salvation possible.”

Please see the bulletin or parish website for Christmas Mass times in December.