New Year's Resolution in Faith

Happy (Liturgical) New Year!!  Today starts the season of Advent, the beginning of the Church year and a time when we prepare for the coming of the baby Jesus.  Everyone knows about Lent, the time before Easter, but Advent doesn't seem to get the same attention.  We don't give up something or abstain from meat on Friday or make other sacrifices Advent as we do during Lent.

Today Advent is looked at as a countdown to Christmas.  I know when I was young I used to look at the 4 candles on the Advent wreath as a timer until Christmas morning.  What I am finally learning is that Advent is not about the day at end but the journey to get there.

If we look at Advent as the New Year we can make a "New Year's Resolution in Faith."  We should look at our relationship with God and figure out what we can do over the next 4 weeks to get closer to out Lord.  Pray more, read the scriptures or attend church are some ideas.

Personally, I am going to reflect daily on the Word of God, the Gospel.  There is no better way, in my opinion to get closer to God than by reading his words.

I am also going to follow the story of salvation from creation to Jesus by practicing the "Jesse Tree."  I never heard of it until this year but a Jesse Tree is a series of daily readings tracing the salvation story.  It is usually done by families with young kids as the daily readings end with putting a special ornament on a tree to represent the day's journey.  I'm not a kid, but I still have much to learn about, so taking advantage of the Jesse Tree tradition can only help my relationship with Jesus.

Pray for me, this Advent.  I'm praying for all of you.