20231203

December 3, 2023

Welcome

The Nativity, Laura James, 1996

Holy Trinity 5A

Celebratingadvent

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,my memory, my understanding and my entire will, all I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and grace, that is enough for me. —St. Ignatius of Loyola

Quiet Yourself

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

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The Second Sunday of Advent

The Third Sunday of Advent

TheFourth Sunday of Advent

The First Sunday of Advent

AdventAdvent is the season that brings four Sundays before Christmas, during which the Church prepares to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ.

Advent The period of four weeks reminds us of the centuries in which the People of Israel, God's chosen people, waited for the Messiah. n.

AdventIn Advent, we also celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception, which honors Mary's conception without Original Sin.

AdventThe Church teaches that Advent is also a season of preparation for Christ’s second coming.

Stay Awake and Slow Down • How am I resisting spiritual sleepiness and preparing for the Lord? • How am I being invited to discern how to transform my own life this Advent season? • What can I let go of what is preventing me from seeing the needs of others around me?

Advent Wreath

The Four Sundays and Themes of Advent First candle / Sunday: HOPE (The Prophecy Candle)Second candle / Sunday: PEACE (The Bethlehem Candle)Third candle / Sunday: JOY (The Shepherd's Candle)Fourth candle / Sunday: LOVE (The Angel's Candle)

We Prepare During Advent

Ways to prepare our heart, our home for Advent. 80, 81, 83

Dear God, As I prepare to welcome Jesus, please guide my words and choices so that they reflect your love for us.

Prayer

Thank you!