A Blessed Advent

[Shin]

Amen! And I pray you too!

Too many folks forget that Christmas lasts more than a day!

[Therese]

During the 12 days of Christmas I yearn to wish people a Merry Christmas.  One woman in my building is orthodox, so I wished her a Happy 6th Day of Christmas today, figuring she'd know what I was talking about.  To other people--but not many--I explain that there are 12 days of Christmas and then wish them a Merry Xth Day of Christmas.  One person was very surprised when I told him that there are 12 days of Christmas.  It's a pity that not many people know their catechism.  As you know, Shin, the Christmas season lasts until the Presentation, February 2nd.  Let's get as many graces from God during this Christmas season as possible.  God bless you!

[Therese]

I had to edit my last post.  I confused the Epiphany, Jan 6th, with the Presentation, Feb. 2nd.  

[Therese]

The great Advent meditations I'd been making, the ones from the SDF "Saints' Books" are followed by some great Christmas meditations.  Today's meditation is particularly good.  I recommend you all make these meditations.  Thanks, Shin, for posting this wonderful book!  It is making my Christmas a better one, for it has brought me closer to the Infant Jesus.  Everybody should meditate on the Infant Jesus, especially at Christmastime.  We should pity the Baby Jesus for having had to suffer in that very cold cave of Bethlehem.  Imagine how cold poor Baby Jesus must have been!  Let us be very grateful to Him for all that He suffered from His birth til His death for us.  Why he even shed blood for us at the age of only 8 days--how He suffered for us as an infant into His adult years.  Thank you, Infant Lord Jesus!  Thank you for everything, especially for You and Your Love!

[Therese]

I am still following the meditations, the ones from Saints' Books (Advent and Easter Meditations).  Today's (Jan. 8th's) mediation was especially good.  I do hope that some of you are able to have a look at it.  It is certainly worth having a look at!

[CyrilSebastian]

                    The First Sunday of Advent can be from the 27th November to the 3rd December.

[Charles]

A Blessed Advent to all !

[Shin]

Great to see you Charles!

I hope you and everyone has an inspiring Advent!

'ADVENT, my dear daughters, is a time of recollection, of salvation; it is a season of grace of which we must profit. From December 17 the anthems of the Office begin with, "O" to express adoration and love. Such were the sentiments in which our Blessed Lady passed the days preceding the birth of Our Lord. How ardently must she have desired to see this little Child Who was Himself the author of her days. She was in continual contemplation. '

St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier

[CyrilSebastian]

                       Hope is the predominant theme of Advent.         
                         The Israelites hoped for a Messiah to come, and Christ entered the world.

[Shin]

'Oh, how I wish that everybody would apply himself to meditation and prayer!'

St. Paul of the Cross

[CyrilSebastian]

                  During the Middle Ages, the Advent season became connected to Christ's first coming at Christmas.   
   
                   

[CyrilSebastian]

               Advent is a road, a way, a symbol of the very heart of the meaning of the Christian life and vocation.   
 
             

[CyrilSebastian]

                The matins is a Hungarian tradition which consists of a daily Mass every dawn from the first   
                  Sunday of Advent to the first day of Christmas. This Mass is called an angelic or golden Mass.

[CyrilSebastian]

The Liturgical color during Advent looks purple.   
However, the Liturgical color during Advent is called Violet.

[CyrilSebastian]

The Book of Isaiah: Chapter 2, Verse 5     
O house of Jacob, come,     
let us walk in the light of the Lord.   
 
The prophet Isaiah describes how God was preparing to bring his great light to the dark confusion of the world.       
 
 

[CyrilSebastian]

Some sources say that Advent began on November 11th (Saint Martin's Day) at some time in the fifth century     
in the form of a six week fast leading to Christmas.