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The First Sunday of Advent

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent and also signifies the start of a new Church Year. This new year has also been designated ‘ The Year of Mercy’ by Pope Francis – a special year to recall God’s great mercy and love for all. The readings remind us to stay alert, to recognise that even now God’s presence is among us. During Advent it is important to remember that we are not waiting for JesusHe is always here with us. Rather Jesus is waiting for us! Advent gives us time to prepare ourselves for the great feast of Christmas so that we can be open to the experience of God’s great love for us. So how can we prepare? Pope Benedict once wrote: ‘Advent invites us to pause in silence to understand a presence. Advent is an invitation to understand that the individual events of each day are hints that God is giving us, signs of the attention he has for each one of us.” It will not be easy to ‘pause in silence’ during this time of year when each day seems busier and so much needs to be done. However, as we begin Advent, we can prepare by trying to find some time to allow God’s presence to deepen in our lives.