Go Deeper in Advent

Throughout Advent, Catholics are encouraged to slow down and prepare for Christmas, the celebration of the incarnation, when God becomes flesh in Jesus Christ. We are to reflect on the gift of the incarnation 2000 years ago and to reflect on the final coming of Christ at the end of time when all things are brought to completion and fulfillment.

Advent, like Lent, is to be a penitential season, when we take an honest look at ourselves, especially in comparison to the grand gift of love through a Son. Awareness of our shortcomings are not to depress us, but to sharpen us to be better versions of ourselves. We’re to strive to be better and more appreciative and joyful recipients of so grand of gift of God’s self in the flesh.

Besides the Advent activities found in our parish and archdiocese,
here are some other resources:

• Pope Francis Encyclical Letter: Dilexit Nos (On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ)

• Dei Verbum (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation) - This year marks this Vatican II document’s 60th anniversary on Sacred Scripture and God’s self-revelation.

• Nicene Creed - We’re in the 1,700th anniversary for the Council of Nicaea in AD 325.
  Click here for a 5 minute summary.

• The Three Ordinary Voices of God by Matthew Kelly - you can pick this book up at our parish and use it to explore how to better listen to God.