Since Thanksgiving is behind us, we wait for Christmas. The experience of waiting is universal and not all forms of waiting are as good as others. How do you plan to wait for Christmas this year?

Advent is a liturgical season of waiting. One reason why Advent is such a precious gift is because it teaches how to wait well. What we await during Christmas is the coming of the new born King, an historical event we memorialize to remind us of the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of time. Our Advent season teaches that to wait well means to wait in expectant hope because of the glory that awaits us; and the hope of the glory that awaits us is rooted in God's unfailing promises. It's only if we're waiting in expectant hope that we will be prepared, because our hearts will be burning with the hope of seeing Christ face to face.

This Advent, be still and be available to God. Spend some time reading through the beginning of the gospel of Luke. Meditate on the hope that must have filled Mary and Joseph as they waited for Jesus to be born despite the uncertainity surrounding their lives. 

Bishop Gruss is producing a video reflection for the Sunday's of Advent. The first one is below.

AMDG,

Fr. Stephen