The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem on a dark night two thousand years ago was the arrival of a child like none other. To know the identity of the little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in the manger is to know the spiritual meaning of Christmas.
Actions, not scenarios
Concern misdirected
Attack on human dignity
Do away with elections?
Witnessing to mercy
Remembering Father Wittman
Vaccine decision
‘Recover better’
Political rhetoric
True transparency?
Flip back through photos and you'll see how different Christmas will look this year. No Nativity pageant at church. No Christmas concert at school. No company parties. No visits to Santa. No family reunions.
Jesus came, Jesus is coming again — yet Jesus is here! Advent captures us solemnly remembering the fullness of time to be celebrated when Christmas arrives. Divinely transcended are space and time in this three-fold arrival — past, future and the here and now — of who always was, who always will be, who always is in our hearts, the great “I AM.”
A friend tells me about an experience he had in prayer recently. He was meditating with the Visitation, when Mary visits her cousin, Elizabeth, who was thought to be barren, but is now in her sixth month.
St. John the Baptist plays a prominent role in the Scripture readings during the Advent Season as the Church prepares for the celebration of Christmas.
The Third Sunday of Advent is also known as Gaudete Sunday. The word “gaudete” is derived from the Latin words “gaudium,” joy, and “gaudeo,” to rejoice or be glad.