Prepared for the Kingdom: Advent Reflection, Week 1
Advent is a great time for a retreat. Many folks, however, aren’t able to steal away for three whole days at a time. So these four weekly reflections, made available on each Sunday of Advent, are meant to be a miniature retreat for readers. This four-part retreat (yes, even on paper or on the screen) is intended to help readers awaken, or reawaken, faith in Jesus Christ. In the midst of this “Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” it is right to stop for a few moments and remember exactly why we have a reason for Wonder. The readings for the first Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year may seem odd to some. Isn’t Advent supposed to lead to Christmas, the season when we worship the baby in the manger scene? Why, then, do we hear admonitions against “the works of darkness,” and Jesus speaking to His disciples of the last days? This is supposed to be a season filled with joy and hope and visions of sugar plums and all that, right? The simpl...