37. The Soul
Our preparation for Christmas begins with the first Sunday of Advent this weekend. The Soul will explore the themes of Advent; Hope, Peace, Love and Joy, in the coming weeks.
Many readers have been enjoying the reflections in the Source and Summit section of The Soul. Provided by the generous clergy of the diocese, these reflections have helped us prepare for the Sunday readings and introduced us to many of our priests. We thank all of the Reverend Fathers for this gift of wisdom and insight and look forward to their continuing contribution to The Soul. This week we have Bishop Greg sharing his reflection on next Sunday’s readings. Check it out in the Source and Summit.
As we begin the Advent season, we have before us an opportunity for a spiritual reset of sorts. As we anticipate His birth, we have the period of Advent to invest in our relationship with the Lord. This won’t be easy. The lure of the world, especially at this time of the year, will be great. The culture tells us that the season is about decorations, shopping, receiving and giving presents and often Christmas is over as soon as the clock ticks into Boxing Day.
The Church, of course, knows better. The season of Advent exists to slow us down, to give us the opportunity to prepare to receive Christ on Christmas Day and to celebrate his coming well into January. To help in this preparation the following six suggestions provide potential ways to help each of us grow more deeply in relationship with Christ this Advent. They may be done individually, but they also can be opportunities for invitation — ways to encourage others to make the most of the Advent season.
Adapted from: Six Ways to grow closer to Christ this Advent.
The theme for the first week of Advent is Hope. Christians can often confuse the word hope for wishful thinking. If we hope something will happen, we have no control over whether or not it will take place.
But the biblical sense of hope is very different. Hope, in the Bible, exists as a secure assurance, a trust placed in a trustworthy God. God has not failed us in the past, and therefore, if he claims he will do something in the future, we can have a hope that he will fulfill that claim.
Hope waits and endures. It isn’t flimsy or merely wishful thinking. It can withstand fire, trials, and despair.
Hope is an important thing. It helps us during significant trials or times of distress. It offers us security that God will arrive and though we cannot see him now, we will see him face to face one day.
An Advent Prayer for Courage
- As we begin to plan our Christmas and end of year events, we must not forget the poor and lowly around us who need our prayers and charitable acts. Because of Jesus, there is Hope For Everyone, including the lowly, the poor, the broken, the outcasts and the sinners.
- As we enter into the new liturgical year, we remember this ancient hymn as we wait for the coming of the Lord - O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
- If you are in need of some faith or hope in a particular situation at the moment, Christ Our Light Has Come (by Steve Angrisano) may help you see Christ in the situation and people around you.
Ignite Summer Camp (14 - 17 January, 2021) is four massive days of fun, friends and getting closer to Jesus! Summer Camp is not a bible camp where you have to be perfect or super holy. It is about kicking off the year on a massive high with your friends, and finding your place within God’s love. Come as you are!
Summer Camp is for those who will be in Grades 7-12 in 2021. Run by a team of experienced and emerging Catholic leaders who will accompany the young people through a journey over four days where they discover more about themselves and more about Jesus and his hope for their lives. Registering a family? Use the discount code 'family' for 2 or more siblings to get the special family rate.
Click the image above to submit your prayer intentions. Each week the prayer intentions are passed onto the Carmelite Sister's at the Carmelite Convent in Goonellabah.
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Proclaim Lismore Staff
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