The Advent season is here… It focuses on expectation and it serves as an anticipation of Jesus Christ’s birth in our hearts at Christmas. The word advent is derived from the Latin word ‘adventus’ meaning anticipation. This is a translation of the Greek word ‘parousia.’

The Catholic Catechism (#524) speaks to us about the spiritual meaning of Advent: “When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Saviour’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the birth and martyrdom of John the Baptist, the Church unites herself to his desire about Jesus: ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’ ”

We all face stresses from the many celebrations, shopping and decorating in Advent. To help us keep our focus of the wonderful purpose of Advent, there are some very good faith resources we could use each day.

Dynamic Catholic (dynamiccatholic.com) sponsors a website www.bestadventever.com. You can arrange for them to send a great resource item each day of Advent to your email address. They respect your privacy and will not share your name and email address with other groups. Check out the sample resource. The Catholic resources internet streaming service Formed.org is also offering a very good Advent resource each day of Advent that you can watch. It is available for children and also in Spanish. Sign up free of charge using the subscription that that Holy Rosary provides for registered parishioners. Please call the parish office to get the registration code.

These resources can help us cultivate hope and faith in Jesus in Advent so that when Christmas Day comes it will be very special… and not just a let down after pre Christmas frenzies. May the Good Lord help each of us to experience the best Advent season ever.