Donate
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish
Worship

Advent: New Liturgical Year, New You

by Bobby Angel

Bobby Angel encourages you to restart your life this Advent. A great way to restart is to go to confession. Many parishes take the opportunity to offer the sacrament more often during Advent. Then, as a follow-up, why not make a change? Where is God calling you to restart? What do you need to stop putting off? What sin do you need to stop making excuses for? 

Consider reading the Bible more too. It doesn’t matter what day it is. Just pick it up and read. Consider reading Luke’s narrative of the Nativity. 

There are also many traditions you can practice this Advent to create an environment conducive to inviting Jesus into your home and heart. In Bobby’s house, he and Jackie turn screens off earlier and light their home with soft lights, like candles and Christmas lights, in the evening. 

Then when Christmas comes, celebrate! Christmas is a season that lasts from Christmas until the Baptism of the Lord. So take the time in Advent to rest, prepare, and recharge. 

Here’s the quote from St. Anselm, which Bobby shares from Liturgy of the Hours during Advent: “Insignificant man, escape from your everyday business for a short while. Hide for a moment from your restless thoughts. Break off from your cares and troubles and be less concerned about your tasks and labors. Make a little time for God, and rest a while in him.”

© AscensionPresents

Latest content

Fr Columba Jordan CFR
Why You Feel Alone, and St. Paul’s Solution
God doesn't see you as a stranger, a servant, or merely a guest. He sees you as family. He rescued you, cares for you, and want...
Read more
Maria Stempo
Learning the Wisdom of Holy Discretion in a Culture of Oversharing
When I was growing up, my dad, God rest his soul, used to say, “Never tell anyone your problems because half the people don’t c...
Read more
Busted Halo
Holy Land Hospitality: How a Shabbat Dinner on a Work Trip Renewed My Catholic Faith
I walked the streets of Jerusalem as a skeptic, unsure what I believed about the city, Jesus, or the biblical stories. I had st...
Read more
Busted Halo
Learning to Embrace Leisure: A Father’s Perspective
The words “parenting” and “relaxing” never fit together naturally for me as a father. And with all of the pressures weighing on...
Read more