I hope that you all enjoyed a restful and delicious Thanksgiving meal with your family and friends. This holiday kicks off the Christmas Season in a big way. It is filled with shopping, eating, parties, etc. But today we celebrate the beginning of a different season, a new Liturgical Year in the Catholic Church. On this first Sunday of Advent we begin a period of preparation and waiting. You know, I think that all the seasons we celebrate in the Church, Advent is one of my favorites. Christmas is coming and people are filled with pure expectations and anticipation. But Advent is also kind of a tricky time. Many people feel that it is simply a time of preparation for Christmas. Kids are waiting for Santa and all the gifts they expect to receive. Adults see it as a four-week countdown to get all of their Christmas shopping done, decorate the house and bake Christmas cookies. But that is not what Advent is all about. Advent actually encapsulates what means to be a Christian. We are all waiting for Christ.

So today we begin our watchful time. St. Bernard once said there are three comings of Christ. First, He came into our world when He was born at Christmas in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesies. Second, He comes to each of us in the Sacraments, especially in the Eucharist. Finally, He will come again at the end of time. We hear more about this last one in today’s Gospel from Luke. Jesus warns about signs in the sun, moon, and stars. These signs of the end times can seem scary, but He tells us not to be afraid. Instead, we should stand tall because our redemption is near. Be ready and watchful for Jesus’s return. But what does this mean? Well, being watchful means simply paying attention to how we live our day-to-day lives. As we begin this Advent season, let us ask ourselves “Are we living in a way that honors God?” Are we watchful and prayerful? By focusing on these themes, we can prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus and grow in our faith.

So, the challenge of Advent is to prepare. None of us know the hour or the day that the end will come. Is it easier said than done? How do we prepare? I think the answer is given in the second reading. Paul is very clear that we should “increase and abound in love for one another”. This is how we should live our lives and spend our time. During this Season of Advent let's not try to run each other over in our compulsive need to “beat the clock “ and get it all done for Christmas. Instead, let us take this time to learn to love God and others. Let us take time to take care of those who need us, whether they are family or friend. Few will remember what you gave them on December 25th in the year 2023 or 2024; but everyone will remember how much love , care and concern you brought into their lives.