The new Church year is just around the corner. Soon we’ll move from Ordinary Time to the Season of Advent, from green to violet and rose, from the daily stuff of faith to four weeks charged with the feeling of hope and anticipation.I can’t help but look forward to Advent and it’s palpable excitement as we look forward to the coming of Christ Jesus. To me it feels like those days when you wake up super early and the sky is still darker than dark. You make yourself a cup of coffee, and sit on the couch, waiting for the dawn to come and the world to wake up. That’s the feeling I have right now as I think about Advent.
As the stores start cranking out the holiday merchandise and the Christmas present pitches, I want to hang on to this feeling of anticipation, of hope and trust in the new life of Christ Jesus. While I don’t normally do a lot of holiday shopping, I think this year I might try to get all my shopping done before Advent begins. That just might help me better embrace Advent and all that the new year holds for us.
And I might just make it a habit to wake up early. This will give me a chance to spend time with two Mary’s -- Mary Oliver the poet and Mary the Mother of God. The poet because her poems from Why I Wake Early will be good morning meditations for Advent. The Mother of God because I feel drawn to walking with Mary, especially as she prepared for the coming of not only her child but to God and to new life for the world. Wow!
In what ways are you preparing for Advent?
Sister Julie Vieira, IHM, blogs regularly at A Nun’s Life (http://anunslife.org) and is trying to wait patiently for the Season of Advent to begin.
8 comments:
Sister Julie - I love your idea of waking up early during Advent - I think I will steal it for this season! Thanks for reminding us about the power of present waiting.
Felicia
Hi Felicia, Steal away! I often get up early but go immediately to work. I'm trying to shift now so that by Advent I'll give myself to prayer and savoring Advent.
Hi Sr. Julie,
I wanted to thank you for your lovely comment on my post. I've been reading A Nun's Life since you posted a link to it in your first post on this blog and have really found it (and you) a good almost-daily spiritual companion. Also, it's how I knew when listening to Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, that police were trying to figure out the cause of an altercation between a restaurant owner and two nuns and a priest!
It's funny to be waiting for Advent, but in some ways I think I am. I'm waiting in so many other ways in my life that I hope it will be particularly centering to have this official waiting time this year.
Becky
P.S. Do you think the Christian Wedding Invitations people missed something in your signature? Perhaps they are just extending their services to others of us, but it was amusing.
Hi Becky, It is like waiting in order to wait for Christmas. But it does fit, doesn't it?
Yes, that spam comment did rather make me laugh. :)
Some of my favorite songs of the liturgical year are sung during Advent....I'm thinking about trying to memorize and reflect on a particular song "Christ, Circle Round Us" this year. And, I need to get Advent candles.
Shannon, hello! I don't think I know that song. Will have to look it up. Finding Advent candles takes preparation itself! I got mine this year at Joanne Fabrics. If you wait too long, all you get are red and green ones! Last year I couldn't even find tea lights or votive candles in purple and pink. So I got plain white ones and put them in clear votive glass candle holders. Then I beaded purple and pink "bracelets" to go around the votive candles. It was kinda cool, but I missed my traditional Advent candles.
http://www.autom.com/
Advent candles.....all you'll ever need. We use this catalog for many things.
not spam...lol
Blessings,
Sr. Barbara Mary
I am one of the Franciscan sisters of Christian Charity.
I've had an article published by the diocese of Marquette, MI, on lifestyles and careers. It is now on our community's web page and there is an opportunity for adding comments (blog). If you could pass this invitation on to any teacher/guidance counselor who may be able to use it and may invite students to comment, it would help our internet ratings, be a great class activity, and be educational. I invite your personal comments also. Here is the link:
http://www.fscc-calledtobe.org/living/index.php/2008/11/17/so-many-choices-one-life-to-live-by-sister-anne-marie-lom-osf
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