Dec. 22, 2007
My Advent Reflections (while it's still Advent)
It's a bit late to be writing my thoughts on Advent seeing that it is nearly over. Can you believe that Christmas is in three days? Time goes by so quickly when you're on break. Hmph.
This is the third year that our family has celebrated Advent. Looking back over the past two years, I can see how much I've changed. In 2005, I didn't really see Advent as having much significance. It was just purple and pink candles with names like "peace" and "joy". I was really confused with all the new Catholic things we were learning, so nothing really sunk in.
2006 was a lot different. I remember Saturday night, I had started to pray the rosary while I was in bed. On Saturday, we pray the Joyful Mysteries (a mystery for each decade: the annunciation, visitation, nativity, presentation at the temple, and the finding at the temple). As I was praying the third decade and meditating on the third mystery--the Nativity--I realized that the next day was the first Sunday of Advent. Coincidence? I think not!
Now it's 2007. This has been the best Advent of them all. Last year I wrote about the feeling of expectation and longing for Christ's second coming. This year, I not only had that expectation, but it caused me to want to prepare for His second coming. This has been the first time that I've actually gone out of my way to get myself ready for the coming of Christ. The passage that I keep coming back to in Scripture is Matthew 25:1-13.
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.
Be always ready. Be always watchful. Don't fall into sin. When you fall into sin, grab Jesus' hand and get up again. Don't waste this time. You won't get it back again.
Comments
Dec. 22, 2007 - Hi Sylvia
Posted by SuperAngel
That is one of my favorite passages. It is so powerful!!
RYC:
Haha... glad you liked my peek..
Thanks so much for your prayers!!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a great day!!
Love, Prayers and Blessings,
Amanda
• Permanent Link
Dec. 22, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Songwriter
Hey! Yeah, I thought the smilies would be a nice touch. lol. And I love how you're so excited about not having to shop anymore. That was great. But yeah, I'm the cookie froster-er at my house. haha.
Merry Christmas to you too!
lylas2
Danya <><
• Permanent Link
Dec. 23, 2007 - onedaymore
Posted by Anonymous
hi
how are you?
I just had my 15th birthday, yay!
Merry Christmas!
onedaymore
• Permanent Link
Dec. 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by cauldronpool
Well...much to your delight, along with about 60 other icons, two tutorials, three wallpapers, and three banners, you should find, stashed away two LotR works. See how long it takes you to find them in my latest and perhaps largest post! ;) Hehe.
• Permanent Link
Dec. 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Jocelyndixon
I don't know too much about Advent. I've heard about it on several peoples blogs. Thank you for sharing. I think you are a very young wise, who is truly striving to serve the Lord.
Love,
Jocelyn
• Permanent Link
Dec. 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Your SSA
What a good reminder to always be on the watch for the Lord, and to prepare ourselves for His coming.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
Your SSA
• Permanent Link
Dec. 29, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Jocelyndixon
You haven't been by and I know you're busy. : ) But I wanted to stop by and tell you I was thinking of you. Hope you're doing well. Praying for you.
Love
Jocelyn
• Permanent Link
Dec. 29, 2007 - Hello!!
Posted by MaidenInTraining
Yes she is sweet isn't she sooooooooooooo adorable and sweet
Love
Hannah
• Permanent Link
Dec. 31, 2007 - Howdy!
Posted by Eyebright
Thanks for the reflections on Advent. The church that we wish we could go to (We can't because we are not in the same state) uses advent candles, but here at home, we just set up the nativity, and don't put baby Jesus out until Christmas.
As I am sure everyone else has hoped, I hope you had a really great Christmas.
P.S. I have enjoyed getting to know you on GoodReads too. You can discover a lot about a person just by knowing what books they read, and how they liked them.
• Permanent Link
Jan. 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Chris
yep my church had colored candles for the first time this year. I told my friend "only a matter of time before our chruch tunrs catholic" :)
• Permanent Link
Jan. 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by cauldronpool
Aww! Sorry you can't see the icons....that's rather pathetic of your computer.
• Permanent Link
Jan. 2, 2008 - Sylvia,
Posted by SuperAngel
Thank you for the prayers!! I am feeling much better.
Love, Prayers and Blessings,
Amanda
• Permanent Link
Jan. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Raora
Hi,
Now, I was going to say that I hoped you had a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and then I thought that you have probably had so many well wishers in the past week you just might be tired of hearing it... lol
Thanks for the comment! :)) yes it definitely does seem to be a time to get sick. We have all gotten it at least once this month.
That's a very nice verse. It's always been one of my favorites.
But right now I have a splitting headache so I think I need to go take a nap or something...
- Sincerely,
Raora
• Permanent Link
