First Sunday of Advent

 

Happy New Year! Today we begin a new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent.

In the Gospel from Saint Matthew, Jesus warns us to "Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come" and "[Y]ou also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

Today's liturgy reminds us that we are not only preparing for and looking forward to Christmas, but also to the unknown time of Jesus' return. We know that in a few short weeks, on the 25th of December, we will celebrate Jesus's First Coming, yet Saint Matthew reminds us that we do not know the hour or the day of His Second Coming.

Let's let this Advent truly be a time of preparation, of silent watching as we wait for the coming of our Lord and King.

People, look east. The time is near  Of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, Trim the hearth and set the table. People, look east and sing today: Love, the guest, is on the way.