1st Sunday of Advent

Dear Sts.AJ’s friends,

Happy Advent to you all! On this first Sunday of Advent, a season that we typically associate with images of the Nativity and O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - the Gospel today calls us to be "watchful" and "alert". Advent is a powerful reminder that God is with us, and that we need to stay vigilant for His second coming. It's so easy to grow complacent and comfortable in our relationship with the Lord, but he continued with love.

He continually calls us to conversion and to grow deeper in love. This season is a beautiful time to reflect on our hearts, spend some quiet time with Jesus in prayer, and go to confession! The best way to be watchful and alert is to reflect, repent and renew our commitment to virtue. As we prepare for Christ's coming at Christmas, let us prepare ourselves to welcome Him with our purest and cleanest hearts.

One of my favorite novenas is the St. Andrew novena which began on November 30th and is repeated every day until Christmas:

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother.

Amy Burghardt

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