Introduction

Advent is well known as a time to spiritually prepare ourselves for Christmas, but there is more to the season. While we certainly prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth — the first coming of Christ which has already occurred — we also look ahead and prepare ourselves for his second coming in glory at the end of time.

The readings for the first two weeks of Advent direct our attention forward, focusing on Christ’s role as the just judge who will come again to fulfill God’s plan for the world. It’s only in the second two weeks of the season that the focus of the readings shifts to the joyful anticipation of his birth, the Incarnation that brought salvation into the world. Continue reading “Dec 8, 2024: 2nd Sunday of Advent (C)” →