Yesterday was the beginning of Advent.  It’s a time when we prepare for Christmas.  The birth of Jesus Christ our Lord.

So much of our preparations have lost the meaning for celebrating.  Decorating, baking, shopping, partying…the list goes on and on.  But do we stop and think about the why?  Over the years Christmas has taken on a very secular meaning and so has Advent.

Advent is a time to prepare spiritually for the miracle of Christ’s birth.  A time to cleanse our spirit in readiness to receive the New Born King.  A time of introspection.  A time to be prayerful.  A time to be penitent.  A time to be joyful in anticipation.

There is nothing wrong with the shopping or decorating or baking in preparation for celebrating, but without spiritual preparation too, we lose so much of the joy of Advent.

Happy Advent!