Yesterday was the start of Advent, a time for us to turn our focus to welcoming Jesus. The Church in Her wisdom gives us these liturgical seasons to invite us to place our focus on a particular beauty of our Catholic faith. This focus is meant to not only look backwards but to also examine our present and contemplate our future. Here are a few concrete ways you can do that this Advent.

Look Back:

Spend some time this Advent exploring Scripture, particularly the infant narratives. Try practicing Lectio Divina a traditional Christian practice of reading, meditating, and praying with the Bible to deepen one's relationship with God. Examine what God is trying to tell you. Our use imaginative prayer. Place yourself in the story. How would you be different if you were there? How do you feel? What changes would this experience have made in your life if you lived it personally?

Examine the Present:

Has your Advent preparation become overcome with preparation for "Christmas" in all its secular traditions? Where are you leaving room to prepare for Jesus to enter your heart this season? Spend some time examining your Christmas traditions. Do they still serve you and your family well? Make sure that you are using your preparation time for the right things. If the holidays leave you feeling stressed and exhausted perhaps it is time to re-evaluate. Make a list of things you do each holiday and ask your self what must stay, what could be paired down and what should hit the chopping block. Make sure there is time for prayer and reflection and spiritual growth during this Advent.

Contemplate Your Future

Let our Immaculate Mother be your guide. Add a rosary or prayer time dedicated to asking Mary to show you how this Advent can leave you different. Afterall we are not only preparing for Jesus's birth but Advent is a time to reflect on how we are preparing for Jesus's second coming. Will we be ready when our time has come to an end? Will we be pleased with how we wrote ourselves into the story of faith? Mary is the ultimate example and guide, always leading us to her Son. Place yourself in her arms this Advent.

A Few Final Tips

Be intentional! Make your plan now. What is the what, when and where of your spiritual Advent plan. Make it and stick to it!

Journal it! This month our book recommendation is to purchase a journal and start the habit of daily journaling. You can do it in the morning to start your day or use it as part of your nightly examen or both. Create a beautiful record of how God is working in your life.

Share it! Share this process with family members, meet weekly with a group to share your Advent journey or participate in some of your parishes Advent activities. We are not meant to go this alone!

May this Advent bring you the joy that only Jesus can bring!

We Are Better Together!

Barb