Second Sunday of Advent - Preparing for Christmas

This Sunday Father Vince reminded us that Christmas was only two weeks away and asked us if we were getting prepared for Christmas.    He asked were essential needs in preparing to decorate, bake desserts, travel, and buy gifts.   He reminded us that this is a time to prepare which the color purple of Advent reminds us.  He related this to the preparations that the people were making visiting John the Baptist for forgiveness of sins.  John was preparing for someone special who was coming, Jesus Christ.   Luke’s Gospel uses people and places to set the events in history to remind people what was going on at the time.   Political rulers Tiberius Caesar, Pontus Pilate of Judea, and Herod of Galilee were ruthless in their governing.  Jewish priests Annas and Caiaphus were more interested in politics of the temple than leading the people of Israel to God.   Jesus came amidst the troubled times in which these rulers led and the people were really struggling.   The other readings of the day in Baruch and Philippians were about people who were also going through struggles.  People today are struggling as well with the events of hurricane Sandy, Tornado in Henryville, Explosion in Richmond Hill subdivision, marriage trouble, and economic struggles.  What is the answer to get through these struggles: to enter into a relationship with God.  As Christians we have Jesus Christ to rely in a personal intimate relationship to help us.  This does not mean that we won’t have struggles still, but we will have someone who lived among and will be with us as we go through tough times.   As you prepare for Jesus coming of Christ use the time to work on your personal relationship with Christ.  The Advent reflection booklets are a good way to have a daily personal encounter with Christ.  Have a blessed Advent and may God bless you!