Happy New Year: Advent is Back

A blessed new year to all our readers.

That’s right, Advent is back.

We listen to the second coming of Jesus while getting ready for Christmas day.  Some make extra sacrifices for Advent, like a mini Lent, while others simply shop until they drop, while singing Come O’Come Emmanuel, the only advent song Catholics know.

I suggest we all take the four weeks before Christmas Eve to grow in faith, in prayer, spiritual reading, good works etc.  Have you thought about the kind of Advent you want?  To tell you the truth, I have not. But, I did manage to write this reflective poem on the subject.

ADVENT

He’s coming sometime, this life is not forever, sacrifice and hope

He’s coming sometime, this life is not forever, be kind to all and love

He’s coming sometime, this life is not forever, let us be joyful

He’s coming sometime, this life is not forever, give alms, be at peace

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”
MK 13:33-37

Your spiritual life only gives you back what you put into it.  I’m not saying Jesus does not love and forgive the sinner.  I will say that any devout Christian only grows closer to Jesus who is coming on judgement day if they show him faith, works, sorrow for sin and a desire to spend all eternity praising Him our one true Love.