Advent Wreath Blessing, 1st Sunday of Advent
Blessing of the Advent Wreath
I hope that your Thanksgiving holiday was one filled with gratitude and blessings. We are now able to turn our attention to the upcoming Christmas “cycle” – the period of time that embraces Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. Sometimes it is a challenge to see the cycle all the way to its natural conclusion at Epiphany, but we’ll do our best to bring you along on our journey.
First, we will prepare, then we will celebrate.
To help us prepare, Father Elmer has graciously joined us in the blessing and lighting of our Advent wreath. We light one candle every week in the midst of all the darkness in our lives and in the world – a world where hope, love, joy, and peace are present. These candles symbolize our anticipation of the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas.
First Sunday of Advent
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, when we begin preparing ourselves for the birth of Jesus. I will be the first to admit that when the Hallmark Channel starts showing Christmas-themed movies in July and 100.3 WNIC starts to play Christmas music on November 1, I’m right there. I find comfort in those.
I also find Advent to be one of my favorite liturgical times of the year. This is the season of hope and lights and expectation, when we recall the story of the miracle – God’s intervention into four thousand years of darkness through a tiny child.
This Sunday, we light the Prophet’s Candle, the one which reminds us of the promises God made to prepare the world for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This brings us great hope.
In this Advent season, let us remember to take time for prayer and reflection. I hope that you will join me in prayer for and with our school community. Please accept my deepest thanks for the many ways that you continue to join me in this great work of hope, for the sake our STARS.
Ask yourself:
What are you doing to prepare for Christmas?
How is God preparing your heart to receive Jesus?
Fr. Richard Elmer, CSB is one of our founding members of St. Catherine of Siena Academy. Father served as the first president of St. Catherine of Siena Academy in 2010. Currently serving as our school chaplain, Fr. Elmer has started a vlog series for Advent. We hope you enjoy it!
