Just a week ago, the town was buzzing, with nothing but thoughts of Black Friday deals. Already, as of today, the Advent Season has begun. With excitement, it’s ready to open our minds, hearts, and spirts, to prepare the world for Christmas! Already, I have started this important season off on the wrong foot. I missed church ⛪️ today. The rain, which is extremely calming, to me, allowed me to sleep peacefully. I slept 😴 💤 so peacefully, that when a looked at the time, church ⛪️ was starting. 🫣😬😪🤦♀️This, however, will not keep me from moving in a positive direction. I have three weeks remaining in the Advent Season. There is still time to get ready for the birth of my Lord and Savior. Anyone who was ill prepared, can too, begin now. It is never too late.
The season of Advent is one of the most important seasons in my Catholic faith. It is a season of candlelight, reflection, and expectation. There are four weeks, and one candle, that represents a principle for each week. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life we find in Christ. Each week of Advent, we light a candle for the four principles we are in need of, in order to be prepared for the birth of Jesus. These principles; hope peace, love, and joy, all represent the true meaning of what Christmas is all about.
In order to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits to recieve our Savior together, as a family of God, we light the candles, reflect on what the season of Advent brings, and wait expectantly, on Christ. Although I was disappointed about missing church today, I have been preparing my heart, mind, and spirit for Advent prior to today.
Today, on the First Sunday of Advent 2023, Our focus is on the virtue of HOPE. Today we light the first candle, which is purple. This symbolizes the hope that Jesus brings to us, his people. He doesn’t bring hope as in our sense of hope; pertaining to what we WANT to happen. Jesus brings hope in the sense that we trust that he WILL grant us the needs and desires of our heart. Without hope, there is no faith that the will of God is possible. As believers, our Hope today, on this First Sunday of Advent, is that this Christmas, will reunite our broken families. As we see all of the hurt we are enduring from the crime in our communities, we have hope that there will be families reunited and comforted throughout the world.
Hebrews 11:1″Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen”.
The hope that I carry is not one of crossing my fingers, it is one of prayer and manifestation. I carry a hope within me born from experience. My hope is from answered prayers and opened doors. Today, my Advent has begun in a positive direction. I can see beyond today. I can see 👀 a future full of positive possibilities. Today, December 3, 2023, I am no longer bound to what shackled me on December 3, 1998. I am finally free. After nearly five years, my prayers have been answered 🙏. I can finally say, that on this First Sunday of Advent, 2023, I HAVE HOPE!
Dani 💋❤️
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