Advent is a season of preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated by Catholics around the world. It is a time of reflection, prayer, and anticipation.
The First Sunday of Advent
Candle 1 (“The Prophet’s Candle”) is purple, lit during the first week of Advent, and symbolizes hope.
I start the first Sunday of Advent hearten that there is hope. Not a day goes by when I read or hear of Covid vaccine related illness or death. Unfortunately most don’t know as news and stats are suppressed by governments. Very few News media broadcasts the truth, especially those that are State funded.
Then there are the ongoing wars in Ukraine, conflicts in Israel and Humas, as well as aggression and control over the South China Sea, and this doesn’t even include all the other scrimmage around the world.
There is hope, that He who created us loves us and is protecting those of us who trusts in Him – our Heavenly Father.
As we celebrate the First Advent, we focus Mary’s “yes,” for it is through her that our Saviour Jesus Christ was born into our wretched world. There is hope.
Hope comes when we are strong in our faith and discern. It is harder to distinguish between that which comes from God, and that which comes from the evil one. Lines of truths are bathed in shades of grey as our judgements dim.
Hope comes in putting on the armour of God and understanding our struggles are against principalities.
Ephesians 6: 10-17
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Retelling the story of Christmas, of Mother Mary and her, “yes,” and of the birth of Jesus keeps our faith alive. It is by sharing that others will come to know these stories in a world where Christian beliefs are being suppressed in schools, in the public and secular domain.
God Bless each of us as we remember and retell the story of Christmas, of Mary, of the Birth of Jesus, and of Joseph – a man of action who protected and cared for his family.
Lord, our God, we praise You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, for He is Emmanuel, the Hope of all people.
He is the Wisdom that teaches and guides us.
He is the Savior of us all.
O Lord,
let your blessing come upon us as we light the first (purple) candle of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise of salvation.
May He come quickly and not delay.
We ask this in His holy name. Amen.
🙏💕
Hope
Gospel Reading for the First Sunday of Advent:
Mark 13:33-37
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”
Be Inspired! 
Leave a comment