Can you believe that it is almost the new year?
Are you excited for what a new year brings?
There are so many preparations that we make for the holidays and new year. Something that might fall by the wayside is the spiritual preparations for Advent and Christmas.
This Sunday, November 29th, is the first Sunday of Advent. As such, it is the liturgical new year. In the Eastern Churches, Advent is known as the time for the Nativity Fast - and Eastern Catholics and Orthodox Christians are already fasting. They begin their fast forty days before Christmas. In the West, we do not have the same emphasis on fasting as preparation today.
In our secular society, Christmas decorations were on the store shelves before Halloween! The grand debate between many is Christmas music before or after Thanksgiving. Neither! Christmas music should be for the Christmas season. It is time for Advent music.
It is time for penance and reflection.
It is time for alms, fasting, and prayer.
It is a time of preparation where we hear the voice in the wilderness cry: Make strait the way of the Lord.
Need inspiration?
First, take a look at the Advent Guide for the Extraordinary Thoughts.
Next, check out the Advent Overview at Fisheaters.
Then, maybe read Around the Year with the Von Trapp Family.
Finally, listen to Advent music!
