First Sunday of Advent.
Dear Parishioners,
Today we begin a new liturgical year with the four-week journey of Advent. This season has always been a special time of grace and preparation for Christians. Its themes speak to our deepest longings: peace, hope, light amid darkness, and the coming of our Savior.
Welcome to Advent—a time of quiet hope and joyful expectation. God is about to do something new. In the Northern Hemisphere, the natural world mirrors this spiritual season: the days grow shorter, darkness settles in early, and the cold draws us indoors. This creates an atmosphere suited for reflection. The symbolism is striking: the winter solstice, when daylight begins to increase, comes just before Christmas. Advent ends with the celebration of Christ’s birth—Jesus, the Light of the World.
Capuchin Father Martin Pable once offered beautiful advice on how to make Advent a truly spiritual season. He suggested reflecting on the symbols of Advent:
Quiet — instead of noise.
What if each person or family took just fifteen minutes a day to turn off the phone, internet, and TV; read a Scripture passage or a page from a spiritual book; and sit in silence with the Lord?
Darkness — the symbol of a world without Christ.
December, the darkest month, reminds us of our need for the Light. That is why we light candles and gather around the Advent wreath—simple traditions that can easily be practiced at the evening meal.
Fasting — instead of constant indulgence.
Choosing not to open that box of candy or giving up dessert once in a while reminds us that our deepest hunger is for the Lord Jesus, who alone satisfies the soul.
Waiting — rather than rushing.
Advent is full of opportunities to practice patience. What if we redeemed these moments? We might chat cheerfully with those in line, help a neighbor rake leaves or shovel snow, or offer a quiet prayer for the people in the cars around us.
After all, the Lord we are waiting for is already present in the people who wait with us. And the purpose of His coming is to make us more peaceful and more loving.
Happy Advent Season!
Sincerely Yours In The Lord,
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike, Pastor
