First Sunday of Advent

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.

Jesus came into the world through the Incarnation as a little child. He came to proclaim the Good News, save souls, and prepare the world for his next coming. As this Christmas season begins, we would do well to keep in mind both the First and the Second Coming. The first because through it we were freed from sin and saved from death. The second because it promises everlasting life and the unfathomable experience of being in God’s Divine Presence forever. In both cases, God will increase us, strengthen our hearts, and make us holy. The Incarnation was the beginning of our Christian faith, the Second Coming will be its pinnacle. We can only hope the way we spend our lives will lead us to Hosanna in the Highest and a life full of spiritual blessings and saving graces.

In what ways are we preparing ourselves for the coming of Christmas? How can we also prepare ourselves for the Second Coming? How can we help others to prepare for and anticipate these spiritual events?

O Lord, strengthen our hearts and make them holy.

Amen.