ADVENT—COME LORD JESUS

                Many people will remember the days when people waited until after Thanksgiving to get ready for Christmas. Over the years it has inched up earlier and earlier. Now stores start preparing right after Halloween if not sooner.

                It is interesting to discover that 1500 years ago people in France actually started preparing for Christmas on November 11th, the Feast of St. Martin of Tours. They weren’t busy shopping, but they prepared by fasting three days a week. A hundred years later Christians were fasting every day from November 11th until Christmas. This was known as “St. Martin’s Lent.” This is probably where Advent gets some of its penitential overtones.

                This may have been the beginning of Advent. Many may also remember Advent as a time to do penance or give up things to prepare for Jesus’ birth.

                Our world has changed and is so different now than it was. The aspect of spiritual preparation has slipped into the background while we busy ourselves with so many other projects to finish by Christmas. Commercialism has in so many instances caused us to shift our focus away from the spiritual side of what we celebrate.

                Advent is a call to all to remember why we do the things we do to prepare for Christmas. Advent offers us the opportunity to enrich ourselves spiritually and to open ourselves more fully to God’s love while at the same time encouraging us to share that love with others through acts of kindness.

                Advent is a busy time. Through prayer and reflection we can enjoy this holy time of year. Remember Advent Lessons and Carols next Sunday at 4:00 p.m. as a way to pray, reflect and prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.