The new liturgical year begins with today’s celebration of the First Sunday of Advent. This year the Church gets to celebrate the four full weeks of Advent, as Christmas falls on a Sunday. The season of Advent is given to us to help us prepare for the celebrations of the birth of Jesus Christ coming into our world and for when Christ will come again. The readings remind us this week more of Christ’s coming again to lead us into the glory of God’s Light. That we are called to put on the armor of Christ, which is to live in His light here on earth. The frst candle of the Advent wreath is lit, to represent the growing of Christ’s Light in this world leading to the fullness of light in Heaven. Jesus warns us to “stay awake, be prepared, be ever watchful” so we are ready for His coming. During this season of Advent, may the Holy Spirit stir within your heart a desire to come humbly before God and repent of your sins, so you may walk as a child of the Light and then let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.