Dear Parishioners of Mary Immaculate and Saint Rose,

It is difficult to believe that we are already to the first Sunday of Advent, especially since we still seem to be stuck in the Lenten season!  This will be a very different type of Christmas.

Who knows what will unfold this year? Perhaps we may actually be able to observe Advent, without the frantic schedule of Christmas parties, programs, concerts, and other events. After all, it is a season of hope!

Our readings for this Sunday remind us to be vigilant in our waiting for the coming of the Lord. We are encouraged to be ready, and most of all, to keep watch!

Advent is a time of looking both backward and forward. We know that Jesus was born among us on a cold winter day over 2000 years ago. His humble birth was observed by only a very few. The shepherds were invited by the angels to welcome the newborn Savior. The magi were led by the guidance of a star to come and worship the newborn King of the Jews. And all of the heavenly hosts of angels sang above the humble manger that cradled the Son of God!  And most of the world slept through the greatest moment in history. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We celebrate that He came as our Lord and Redeemer, that through His Incarnation, He raised up fallen humanity.

Advent is also a looking forward. We know that Jesus will come again. The world as we know it is passing away. At the end of time, Jesus will come again victorious to take us home with Him to the Heavenly Kingdom. Scripture tells us that we do not know the day or the hour when this will come, so we are urged to always be living in a way that we imitate the life of Christ in our own. We want to be found watching and waiting so we are not caught off guard.
As we look to celebrate Christmas, there are many tasks to do. We prepare for guests, we bake and prepare special foods for the Christmas feast. We decorate our homes. We sing songs of Christmas. We buy gifts for those whom we love. This is all done to be ready for Christmas Day.

In order to spiritually prepare to observe Advent and be ready to celebrate Christmas, we find time to reflect and pray about the birth of Jesus and all the events leading up to that. We read the Christmas story in the Gospels. We go to the sacrament of reconciliation so we will be in a state of grace. We pray Advent devotions and light Advent candles. We look for opportunities to help the poor and to support the work of the Church. We go to Mass and receive our newborn King in Holy Communion. This is all done to be ready for Eternity!

Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom. Amen.
~Collect for the first Sunday of Advent
Msgr. Cox
Madonna in Prayer,  Sassoferrato (1652)