For much of the population, these four weeks before Christmas are a frenzied time of shopping, entertaining and, perhaps, carrying out some projects that must be completed before the end of the year. All of these things have their place and are not wrong in themselves.
Advent should be a more solemn, reflective and penitential season of preparation. This is a time of watchful waiting for the Lord; a reminder that we are always to be in a state of readiness to welcome Christ’s Second Coming.
This Advent I urge you to make an effort to take some quiet time, perhaps in front of the Blessed Sacrament, to prepare the way of the Lord. When you put Christ at the center of your life you will find that he is the true source of peace, joy and fullness of life.
I wish each of you that peace and joy this Advent and Christmas. And if you have been away from the Church for a while, I invite you to please come home for Christmas. We miss you, and we long to welcome you back.
