In her Magnificat, Mary announces the gifts with which God adorns her. Because Mary knows that she has received everything from God, she harbors no misgivings about proclaiming her virtues.

How will you thank God suitably for all the good that he bestows on you?

Adapted fro The Magnificat Advent Companion (De. 22, 2014)

A friend told me a story recently. He was attending a day of reflection at a nearby retreat center. The priest who was leading the day was fielding questions from the audience. Many of the questions dealt with the kinds of fears and worries common to all of us these days. Finally, the priest looked at the people gathered and said simply, “Remember, God deals with what is, not with what if.” This lesson hit home for me as I went through a tough stretch. With each crisis I knew I had a choice—I could ask God to walk with me through the difficulty and help me to learn what I could from each painful event. Or I could throw up my hands and ask God why this was happening to me.
I chose to stay in the moment despite the uncertainty of what was happening. I tried to listen and learn from the pain. The unexpected blessing was how focused I became on what was happening right in front of me: what is, instead of what if. To get through a difficult day, I needed to pay attention, to concentrate moment-by-moment. It’s in that gritty moment of real time that we meet God: that I met God.
And while I don’t recommend you invite calamities into your life to help you focus—surely life knows how to serve up calamities all on its own—in every moment you can attempt to be present, even as we long for God to be present. After all, where else could we ever meet God but right here and right now?
This is what Advent is all about, welcoming the God of the Here-and-Now.

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Joe Durepos is an editor at Loyola Press and author of A Still More Excellent Way


Reflection: After reading the above story think about this: How are you welcoming the Godof Here-andNow?

Like the expectant Mary and Joseph, we all have a piece of God to bring into this world. We have been created and as such, the seeds of our creative possibilities remain within our core. How do we harvest these? How do we ready them? How do we audaciously trust that we have a “yes” to issue as well? One way to begin is to put ourselves into the story of God. Picture the manger scene. We can imagine the animals and even the angels. We can hear the cry of the newborn baby and feel the relief of his parents. We can see the star bright in the sky. But can we find ourselves within its rays? Where do we fit into this familiar miracle? Christ was born unto us. What does this mean? As we look for our place in the scene, we will ready ourselves to respond more deeply to it. Advent Reflection Use a few of these questions to prompt your reflection: If Mary’s “yes” to God led to Joseph’s, where do they both lead you? What do you imagine that God is growing in your life right now? Where in your life do you need Christ to enter the most? What is God’s invitation to you? How is it unbelievable? How is actually very possible? What will you co-create with God this year? What will change in your life when you say “yes”? What will stay the same? Action Prompt Think of an area that is not your strength. Perhaps it is a physical activity like running or a social skill like starting a conversation. Choose something that is difficult for you but imagine it as doable. Imagine that it is an invitation to which you can respond, “Yes!” At the end of the day, look back on the activity and your response to it. What was your experience? How can this experience impact your faith? What is doable in your life because of your faith? God, hear my yes as I listen to yours… (write or imagine how God is affirming you—saying yes to you and the needs of your life.)

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Jesus tells a story about a man who ha two sons. Both recognized the voice of their father and who he was. But in their response to his requests, both forgot who they werwe and how they were called to live. We do not have to guess how Jesus wants us to live. We have all heard his voice asking us to be people who forgive even when it is hard, and who realize that serving the poor is not confined to the weeks just before Christmas. These are days when many of us are busy, living by lists we check more than twice. May we always recognize that the season of Advent calls us to remember who we are.

Reflection based on Matthew 21:28-32  Adapted from: The Magnificat Advent Companion

Question: What kind of person have you been so far in the first two weeks of Advent? Are you forgiving, are you helping others, or are you to busy and only thinking of yourself?

John the Baptist on Social Media (Ages 12–15)
As a prophet, St. John the Baptist traveled far and wide to tell people of the Good News of Christ. St. John relied on large gatherings of people to be able to hear his message so that they, too, could go out and preach the Word. Have children imagine if John the Baptist lived in today’s world, where social media is one of the fastest and most widespread ways to communicate. Have young people choose a social media platform, such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, and write what some of John’s messages would be or look like on that platform. Remind young people to think of the best way to spread an important message and to name some of the problems John the Baptist would encounter by only using social media to preach. Share and discuss ideas.

Are We Facebook Friends with God?

My brother once told me about how he knew his list of friends on Facebook was getting out of control. He noticed a wedding announcement, but didn't recognize the pictures and realized he couldn't figure out which one was his friend, he knew there was a problem.

I imagine that this is a common experience on Facebook. The fact is that many of the people we call "friends" on Facebook are simply contacts: people we would like to communicate with on occasion and that is all. However true friendship is something that can be observed, for in true friendship two people share their lives with each other.

God comes to us so that we might be friends with him. Examine your relationship with God. Do you treat him like a Facebook friend or do you have a share in his life? If it was possible how can you become that Facebook Friend with God?

An Introduction to the Advent Wreath

The Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches representing eternity. On that wreath, five candles are typically arranged. During the Season of Advent, one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a part of the Advent services. Each candle represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Set on the branches of the wreath are four candles: three purple candles and one pink candle. In the center of the wreath sits a white candle. As a whole, these candles represent the coming of the light of Christ into the world.

On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. This candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

Each week on Sunday, an additional candle is lit. On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents love. Some traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's manger.

On the third Sunday of Advent the pink, or rose-colored candle is lit. This pink candle is customarily called the "Shepherds Candle" and it represents joy.

The fourth and last purple candle, oftentimes called the "Angels Candle," represents peace and is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent.

On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is traditionally lit. This candle is called the "Christ Candle" and represents the life of Christ that has come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. Also, those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.

Reflection: Does your family have an Advent Wreath? If you do, then how does your family doing the lighting of the candle each week.