First Sunday of Advent

When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year,
     she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah,
     for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first
     coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for His second
     coming. By celebrating the precursor’s [St. John the Baptist's]
     birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire:
     “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

--Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 524
     

First Sunday of Advent

It is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.  For our salvation

is nearer now than when we first believed.  Rom 13:11

 

"Jesus, ... the Eucharist is the sacramental testimony of Your first

coming, with which the words of the prophets were reconfirmed

and expectations were fulfilled.  You have left us, O Lord, Your Body

and Blood under the species of bread and wine that they may bear

witness to the fact that the world has been redeemed  - that through

them Your paschal mystery may reach all men as the Sacrament

of life and salvation.  The Eucharist is at the same time a constant

announcement of Your second coming and the sign of the definitive

Advent and also of the expectation of the whole Church.

When we eat this bread and drink this cup,

we proclaim Your death, Lord Jesus,

until You come in glory. 

Every day and every hour we wish to adore You, stripped under the
species of bread and wine, to renew the hope of the call to glory. Amen."

Ven Pope John Paul II

Quoted in Jesus, We Adore You

Paul Thigpen

 

 

Seconda Venuta di Christo

  

Prepare yourself for the coming of the Lord.

Hat tip to Greg Smisek

gotculture@usfamily.net

Advent season resources

Vatican Advent page (forthcoming)

U.S. Bishops’ Advent/Christmas Seasons (with daily family activities)

Catholic Culture’s Advent workshop

EWTN reflections for each day of Advent

Women for Faith & Family Advent page

Domestic-Church.com: Advent and Christmas in your home

Catholic Online’s Advent Workshop

Fish Eaters Advent overview

Our Sunday Visitor Advent page

Internet Padre’s Advent resources page

Saints.SQPN.com: Learn more about the saints of Advent,
including the Blessed Virgin Mary (Dec. 8 and 12), St. John the
Baptist, St. Nicholas (Dec. 6), St. Juan Diego (Dec. 9), and
St. Lucy (Dec. 13).

Tradition Day by Day: Writings of the Church Fathers and others saints
Short readings for every day of the year

Doxaweb 2010 Advent Calendar (starting Dec. 1 — it’s not just for kids)

A Catholic approach to holiday gift-giving
(Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio)