It’s only December 5th, but Advent is already in full swing! How are you going to celebrate the season? Fr. Elijah wanted to share a bit of insight about how he and our order prepare for Christ’s coming.

A: During Advent, we follow a tradition of fasting, much like St. Francis, who fasted often throughout the year. One of his fasts was during Advent, which is traditionally a time for penance and fasting. Currently, we're observing a fast, and our community servant, Father Antony, is encouraging more prayer to prepare our hearts for the season. Personally, I'm trying to focus on spiritual reading and meditation related to Advent, what my life would be like without Jesus, His Second Coming, and entering into my own poverty.

A: Some simple reminders that Christmas isn't here yet can help, like having an Advent wreath at home. Purple is a penitential color and the color for royalty. It's fine to decorate or bake, but remember the focus is on preparing for Christ.  As we heard in the Gospel recently, we shouldn't be weighed down by anxieties but should make space for prayer, penance, and reflection. Even offering up small sacrifices, like having less sweets, can be impactful to remind us of the season.

A: Penance allows us to experience a small kind of suffering, or the loss of something. This small sacrifice reminds us that nothing but Christ can truly comfort us. It creates space in our hearts for Him and reminds us of what we really need—relationship with Jesus, not the things of this world.

A: Our Lady’s presence is very strong during Advent. Growing up, we always had a manger scene, but we’d hide baby Jesus until Christmas Day. I've always loved seeing Mary and Joseph together before Christmas comes and remembering the hardship they experienced. It reminds me how the cross was always present even early on - He was born to die for us. I think it's very important to enter into relationship with the Holy Family and make that journey with them as we prepare to receive Him.

A: Advent is the beginning of the Lord's life. It gives us a little taste of how Christ is coming, but He isn't here yet. It’s a hinge between the Old and New Testaments, with John the Baptist making the connection between the Old Testament prophets and Christ. Of  course, we know that Christ has already come, but we're still preparing for Him to come. The liturgical calendar starts with Advent because He is the reason for the season, but He is also the reason for the whole year. So we celebrate His birth, and we think about His whole life. His life was full of graces for Salvation - not just the cross. So we start with His birth and follow Him all the way to Calvary.

May your Advent be full of grace and anticipation for the birth of Jesus!

God bless you,

Fr. Elijah and The Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit