Priestly Ponderings …
There is something about those few days between Thanksgiving and the First Sunday of Advent that many find particularly relaxing. The post-turkey dinner snooze, the experience of having gathered to share a meal together, conversing with those whom we may not see all that often, and perhaps, some quiet time to think, together creates a sense of connection with those around us, as well as our surroundings.
Deepening connections is the gift of the Season of Advent. While Advent calls upon the Church to pause and reflect on our faithfulness to the gospel as we await our Lord’s return, the desire for connection and reconnection with God and neighbor permeates our readings and worship services. We think of Advent as a penitential season and, for some, their Advent practice may lead to an amendment of life. And yet, whether repentance, reconciliation, or deliberately taking time for quiet reflection, prayer and thanksgiving, whatever your experience in Advent, what we will hold in common is a deepening reconnection with God and with each other. Advent urges us to prepare for Bethlehem and for our Lord’s return. Thus, it is the perfect prelude to the celebration of Christmas – the life-changing miracle of “God with us.” If it is true that those who walk Holy Week together find a more joyous Easter, then, rest assured, those who observe Advent find the Christmas promise of reconciliation and redemption in Christ who came in all humility, all the more meaningful.
May your Advent journey be a time of reconnection with your families, friends and neighbors, but most importantly, may this be a time of reconnection with God revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord. A blessed Advent to you all!
Yours in service to the Gospel
Allan +
There is something about those few days between Thanksgiving and the First Sunday of Advent that many find particularly relaxing. The post-turkey dinner snooze, the experience of having gathered to share a meal together, conversing with those whom we may not see all that often, and perhaps, some quiet time to think, together creates a sense of connection with those around us, as well as our surroundings.
Deepening connections is the gift of the Season of Advent. While Advent calls upon the Church to pause and reflect on our faithfulness to the gospel as we await our Lord’s return, the desire for connection and reconnection with God and neighbor permeates our readings and worship services. We think of Advent as a penitential season and, for some, their Advent practice may lead to an amendment of life. And yet, whether repentance, reconciliation, or deliberately taking time for quiet reflection, prayer and thanksgiving, whatever your experience in Advent, what we will hold in common is a deepening reconnection with God and with each other. Advent urges us to prepare for Bethlehem and for our Lord’s return. Thus, it is the perfect prelude to the celebration of Christmas – the life-changing miracle of “God with us.” If it is true that those who walk Holy Week together find a more joyous Easter, then, rest assured, those who observe Advent find the Christmas promise of reconciliation and redemption in Christ who came in all humility, all the more meaningful.
May your Advent journey be a time of reconnection with your families, friends and neighbors, but most importantly, may this be a time of reconnection with God revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord. A blessed Advent to you all!
Yours in service to the Gospel
Allan +
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