The Advent season is a time of preparation
that directs our hearts and minds to Christs
second coming at the end of time and to the
anniversary of Our Lords birth on Christmas.
From the earliest days of the Church, people
have been fascinated by Jesus promise to come
back. But the scripture readings during Advent
tell us not to waste our time with predictions.
Advent is not about speculation. Our Advent
readings call us to be alert and ready, not
weighted down and distracted by the cares of
this world (Lk 21:34-36). Advent also includes
an element of penance in the sense of preparing,
quieting, and disciplining our hearts for the
full joy of Christmas. Advent starts Dec. 3rd.
The final days of Advent, from December 17 to
December 24, we focus on our preparation for
the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord
at Christmas. In particular, the "O" Antiphons
are sung during this period and have been by
the Church since at least the eighth century.
They are a magnificent theology that uses
ancient biblical imagery drawn from the
messianic hopes of the Old Testament to
proclaim the coming of Christ as the
fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes,
but of present ones as well. |
The Immaculate Conception
of Mary
"No sin would touch her, so that she would be
a fitting and worthy vessel of the Son of God.
The Immaculate Conception does not refer to the
virginal conception and the birth of Christ, but
rather to Mary's being conceived without
inheriting Original Sin." (United States Catholic
Catechism for Adults, 142-143)
Click here to read Pope Francis Prayer for the
Immaculate Conception
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