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Journey with us to the manger.
"Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life."
This Advent, we're inviting you to stop. To not get caught up in the anxieties of daily life to the point where your heart becomes drowsy and you lose sight of the goal of this busy season. But it is a busy season, and we know you may not find the time you need at home or at work.
Instead of adding one more thing to your December to-do list, we're simply asking you to come to Mass. Come to Mass every Sunday, just like you would anyway, but treat each of the four Sundays of Advent as a retreat. Notice the music that calms your mind as you enter the Church. Notice the pauses for reflection as you pray through the Mass. Hear the readings from Scripture. Every Mass prepares us for Jesus's return, and at every Mass, we receive Him and His peace in the Eucharist.
Click here for this Sunday's readings.
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"The LORD has removed judgment against you."
In this third segment of our Advent retreat, we emphasize joy as we recall the great rescue mission that Christ undertook for us through the Incarnation. Through His work, we are set free from the sin, judgment, and death that enslaved all humanity before His coming. Let us rejoice in the knowledge that we are rescued!
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Remember the Rescue at Mass
Every time Christ comes to us through the Eucharist, we have access to the grace of that rescue again. Every time we receive Him in the Eucharist, we receive a taste of eternal life.
"It was not enough for God to make his Son our guide to the way; he made him the way itself, that you might travel with him as leader, and by him as the way." - St. Augustine
Read the whole passage here
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The Magnificat
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Join in Mary's joyful prayer of praise this week.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,my spirit rejoices in God my Saviorfor he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.From this day all generations will call me blessed:the Almighty has done great things for me,and holy is his Name.He has mercy on those who fear himin every generation.He has shown the strength of his arm,he has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,and has lifted up the lowly.He has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty.He has come to the help of his servant Israelfor he remembered his promise of mercy,the promise he made to our fathers,to Abraham and his children forever.
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Questions for Reflection
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How does this understanding of Christmas as a "rescue mission" change your persepctive?
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Does it give you firm confidence?
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Does it give you lasting joy?
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Looking for more chant?
To help preserve a prayerful environment before Mass, we will play Gregorian chant prior to Mass throughout the Advent season. If you enjoy this sort of music, check out the playlists we are using!
Gregorian Chant (album by the Monks of the Abbey of Notre Dame)Chants of Deliverance by Floriani
Floriani chant of exorcismWhat about Christmas Carols?
Christmas carols are great--and proper to the Christmas season! Try listening to Advent-themed music in these weeks of preparation and then bring out the carols on December 25th!
If you're not sure what "Advent music" is, here are some recommendations! Notice the focus on anticipation and preparation as we approach the Christmas season.
The Advent of Christmas (album by Matt Maher)
Advent at Ephesus (album by Benedictines of Mary
The Oh Hello's Family Christmas album
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Thank you to Acts XXIXWe are drawing from Acts XXIX's Advent Guide this season. Among other ministries, Acts XXIX has produced the Rescue Project. After three successful Rescue Project sessions at St. Monica, we are incorporating this Advent guide to allow our whole parish to experience benefits from this program. Click here to learn more about the Acts XXIX.
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