Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
November 28, 2001
Advent: Come, Lord Jesus
Advent begins this Sunday, Dec. 2. It means "coming" or "arrival" and during the Advent season we prepare ourselves for the great gift of the incarnation and for Christ's final coming. Advent signals the beginning of the liturgical year.
Advent is a time of patient anticipation: we contemplate the Savior's birth and the gift of peace he brought and we examine our hearts and our lives to see if we are indeed ready for him to come again. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 have renewed not only patriotism, but also cognizance of our need for God, which should serve to make this year's Advent particularly meaningful.
Families will light the first candle on their Advent wreath, parishes will begin offering reconciliation services and two Capuchin Franciscans are back in town to hear confessions at more than a dozen parishes over the next three-and-a-half weeks.
The American tradition of taking advantage of the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas to purchase Christmas gifts is in full swing and is not a bad practice in and of itself, it's leaving Christ out of Christmas and consumerism we are cautioned to avoid.
There are many ways to give gifts that keep Christ in Christmas: Gifts of time and services are deeply appreciated by all, especially by those who are homebound, lonely or on fixed incomes. A charitable donation in someone's name serves to remember those less fortunate and is especially appreciated this year by charities, which saw donations drop as Sept. 11 victims' assistance became the favorite charity. Additionally, organizations that help the poor, the marginalized and those in crisis need funding all year long and are always looking to increase their donor base, particularly individual donors. Religious gifts, too, are good ways to retain a spiritual emphasis in gift giving.
This issue of the Register aims to help readers keep a spiritual focus during Advent: Read about Capuchin Franciscans back to offer their "Ministry of Reconciliation" on Page 3. Find out about an advent retreat on Page 11. Read about worthy charities on Pages 9 and 14. A story on a Catholic goods store is on Page 15.
May these stories help you to make this a truly blessed Advent season. That's our hope for you from all of us at the Register. We pray with you, "Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!"
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