ADVENT AND HOPE:

It is only 10 short days until we celebrate the Birth of Our Lord, the culmination of the Advent Season of preparing and waiting. In our faith, Advent is the beginning of the “New Liturgical Year”.  I have noted that each message during the homily this Advent is centered around HOPE, which is deeply encouraging, given the state of our world, some things in our personal lives and the various shifts in life many of us may be experiencing. The message has been that HOPE is a gift in our lives, one to be used and experienced, not only for ourselves but in ways to serve others, building them up and encouraging them. As I thought about this, I decided to reach out to someone that I thought could use encouragement and HOPE. There was not a response, but I HOPE that the message may  have helped in some way.

When I think of HOPE, I think of possibilities,  of new beginnings,  and the letting go of cumbersome worries, among just a few of the thoughts. I believe that it is HOPE that keeps up moving forward and not mired in the ‘downs’ or challenges we face. If we have HOPE, we have everything! It is not over; it is going to come to fruition, in the way that has been chosen for us by HIM. On December 25, the waiting and preparing, each in our own spiritual way, will come to fruition as Our Lord will arrive once again to bring us HOPE…..for us, our families, our lives, and our world.

Continue on in your preparations for the coming of the greatest HOPE there is.

PJP