Armor of Light {Advent 1}

Zachary lights the first Advent candle before Mass, as Father Qui Thac blesses the Advent Wreath.

Preparing ourselves for the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas is important, 

but preparing ourselves for the day when we will meet Christ is paramount.

Advent allows us an opportunity to do both.

For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;

the night is advanced, the day is at hand.  

Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;

let us conduct ourselves properly...

~Romans 13:11b-13a

At Church and at home, our domestic church,

the season of Advent provides many opportunities to ready the way of the Lord, and put on the armor of light.

Added prayer time, extra acts of charity, offering up unpleasant tasks or suffering, decorating (armoring our home with light!) and even baking special treats are all ways we can stay awake, for although we know the exact date that our celebration of Christmas will begin, we must

be prepared, for at an hour (we) do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

This Advent, my hope is that we do not get lost or spiritually bankrupt in the chaos of mounting "to do" lists and extra business.

It's far too easy to be caught up in the action of this season

and miss out on the meaning.

May we truly long for Christ, and not go through the motions of the external arrangements for Christmas without a sincere interior preparation which will allow us to grow in His love and truly rejoice in His presence.

Let us conduct ourselves properly...

Our Savior is coming!

Thoughts for this week:  

What 'works of darkness' do I need to throw off?

In what ways can I put on an 'armor of light' this Advent to prepare for Christ's coming?