The Advent Season: A Time To Prepare And Open Our Hearts For Christmas

Advent is a time of preparation, as we look forward to the coming of the Christ as child at Christmas and as King at the end of time. After all, we don’t want to get so involved in the shopping and decorating that we don’t set aside time to be ready for the birth of Jesus — when God revealed His closeness. As Pope Francis has said, “Advent is the season for remembering the closeness of God who came down to dwell in our midst.” So, here at St. Peter, we are blessed with many opportunities to prepare during this Advent season.

Parish Catechist Blake Vajgrt asks all parishioners to focus on at-home prayer. Advent offers us an especially great time to practice daily prayer. Parishioners can also purchase or make an Advent wreath and light it each day at dinner. If we each take the time to prepare in this way, then Christmas can be extra special.

“Mary was a woman of prayer, so she was prepared to say ‘yes’ to the coming of the Lord, when Gabriel appeared to her,” Blake says. “If we focus on prayer, we can be more prepared to say ‘yes’ to what God is calling us to.”

Fr. Benjamin Holdren will visit the parish as guest preacher on December 11-12. Fr. Holdren will preach on how to grow spiritually in the Advent season. As you enter into the season of Advent remember small preparations can have large impacts. Something as simple as spending five minutes on FORMED.org during this full season can help you prepare well. Thanks to a generous donation, we will also have free copies of Do Something Beautiful for God, a daily devotional based on the teachings of St. Teresa of Calcutta to start your new liturgical year off right.

Fr. Eric Clark will lead us through the Stations of the Nativity, which he compiled, on Dec. 3. A social with Christmas cookies, fellowship, and games will follow.

There will also be expanded and additional times for parishioners to attend the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Consider attending to have a clear mind and heart going into Christmas.

“Sin prevents us from receiving grace,” Blake says. “God’s grace comes into the world — we don’t want to have any stain of sin that would prevent us from receiving God’s grace at Christmas. This is the greatest gift we can give our Lord.”

We also want to take the time to help those who are less fortunate. Blake asks us to be aware of those around us who are vulnerable and in need.

“Don’t discredit the value of helping the person closest to you that God has placed in your life,” Blake says. “Put your faith into action by helping those around you.”

Most of all, we want to focus on the domestic church — that is, our families.

“Make sure you aren’t going from one thing to the next all through Advent,” Blake says. “St. Joseph and Mary had quiet time for reflection during this time of preparation for the birth of Jesus.”

Please be sure to refer to the parish bulletin for further information on upcoming Advent events.