Preparing the Way of the Lord
Week One -November 27, 2011 -First Sunday of Advent
Get Your Heart Ready!
“Advent has begun: you have four weeks to prepare for Christmas. What will you do to get ready? Will you be thinking about decorating the tree, or about what kind of presents you hope to give and receive? It is very good to think about these things and to prepare a beautiful celebration for your family and friends- as long as you haven’t put Jesus to the side! Don’t forget that Christmas is the celebration of his birthday. It is in honor of Jesus that we give each other gifts, that we decorate our homes, and that your parents prepare those very special meals. So, what can you do to get ready for Jesus’ birthday? You can simply prepareyour heart to welcome him with as much energy as you put into preparing your gifts and your home.
Jesus says:”Stay awake.” Stay awake doesn’t just mean waiting and not doing anything. It means continually trying to become closer to God by doing good for others, by praying every day, and by asking him to come and change your heart. In this way your heart will be the most beautiful manger for baby Jesus.”
Week TWO -December 4, 2011- Second Sunday of Advent
Following Jesus’ footsteps
“You have been preparing for Christmas for a week now. You may feel as if Christmas is taking for ever to arrive- but this is normal! It aways takes time to prepare one’s home for guests- and during Advent, we’re preparing to welcome the most important guest of all- Jesus! This week, we hear John the Baptist telling us to clear a straight path for the Lord. This means to make Jesus’ coming easier. How? We can starighten his road by recognizing our sins and being truly sorry for them. We also make his road easier by announcing the good news to others so that thye will also await the coming of Christ and open their hearts to him. We do this by trying to be like Jesus. By loving as Jesus loves, we become straight pathways of grace for others. Others will experience God’s love through us!”
Week Three- December 11, 2011- Third Sunday of Advent
A humble witness
“John the Baptist is the humble witness who comes before Jesus; he precedes him. A witness is someone who has directly known a person or experienced an event and can truthfully tell about this person or event. John the Baptist knows Jesus well- he is his cousin. He baptized Jesus and saw the Holy spirit descend upon him. John the Baptist is not the Messiah but a servant who simply announces the coming of the Messiah. He doesn’t brag about being Jesus’ cousin. He simply serves him. He knows that without God he would be nothing because God gives us everything. You too have met witnesses who have helped you discover Jesus and get to know him. They themselves discovered him and believed in him. They helped you know him becasue he was of such importance to them. These people were like John the Baptist for you- they prepared the way for the Lord. What a great reason to be joyful and give thanks to God for all those who have guided you on the path of faith. ”
Week 4- December 18, 2011- Fourth Sunday of Advent
Here I am, Lord
“To continue preparing for the coming of Jesus, take a look at Mary. She is full of grace- in other words, she has always been filled with the life and love of God. This is why she listens to and welcomes the angel’s words, even if they are very surprising words! Mary trust God. She says yes to becoming the mother of the Son of God. She welcomes Jesus in a very special way. When you welcome someone, you make room for him or her. You show that person that you are very happy about his or her coming. You can think of so many things to do for someone you love! All that counts for you is the moment when that person you love arrives; you save a special place for him or her in your life. During Christmas all of us should say yes to giving Jesus more and more room in our lives. We must be like Mary, trusting God and welcoming Jesus into our hearts. If we open our hear to him, he will come and live there and make us his home.”
Lisa Reno
Magnifi Kid
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