Preparing

Are you ready?  Well don’t panic, in fact go read Karen Edmisten’s No Panic Advent Series and Jennifer Miller’s Prepare the Way of the Lord.

Jennifer’s Advent Reading plan (which she ever so kindly put into a Word document so you can tweak it to fit your family) is not to be missed!  I am so excited about this reading plan!  It’s exactly the sort of thing I was hoping to do myself but just haven’t had the time to pull together.

Many weeks ago Jennifer and I talked about using the Inos Biffi books for Advent this year and in her blessing of sickness she came up with a perfectly beautiful plan!  It’s already printed and hanging on the pinup board above my desk. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

And those Biffi books?  Well I am positively squealing with delight over being able to find a supplier for The Way to Bethlehem –which is oop here in the US– and offer it for sale at Family-Centered Press.  I am so delighted in fact that I put together an Advent package of  The Way to Bethlehem, The Life of Mary and Introduction to the Liturgical Year.  I am not exaggerating when I tell you these books are flying off the shelves.  It’s no surprise to me though because they are that great –truly some of my personal favorites!

I came across this Advent page on the USCCB site today.  I haven’t had time to explore it yet but it looks promising.  The mail brought our Advent/Christmas calendar (which might need a little tweaking but is lovely).  We’re almost ready –I bought the candles a few weeks ago, I just need to find the brass holder.  It’s here somewhere. . .

Advent is such a beautiful time but I must admit some sadness at the way it has been taken over by our secular society.  Advent is about preparation and hope, not celebration, not yet –that’s Christmas.  In his recent book Signs of Life Scott Hahn laments the loss of Advent too as he writes “Advent is a season we must recover, even if it takes heroic effort.“  I couldn’t agree more.

How do we do that?  I don’t know, but I am going to make it my prayer intention for Advent and I am going to do my best, despite the constant barrage of “Christmas!” all around me , to keep Advent as well as I can.

Reading again in Signs of Life I am struck by the profundity of this passage and it is something I am pondering in light of our country’s current state.

The prophets longed for the conditions that Israel could only enjoy upon faithful fulfillment of the covenant. Instead, the people fell inexorably into sin, and so they lost the privileges God had given them: prosperity and happiness in a land flowing with milk and honey.  The prophets ached for a messiah, ached for a redeemer, ached for a deliverer.

With the birth of Jesus came the fulfillment of all the holy desires of all those many centuries.  That is the joy we mark in Christmas, but it’s difficult for us to experience the joy unless we undergo the longing.

May God bless you greatly this coming Advent season!

One Response to “Preparing”

1. Susana says:

   November 19, 2009 at 10:20 pm

   I am so excited about the Inos Biffi books! I just placed my order. Thank you for providing this wonderful package! God Bless!
   Susana
   http://www.montessoricandy.com

Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail