Treasures from Our Tradition

Today there is an abrupt shift in the season of Advent. From here on the tone is more joyful and expectant and the tug of the Christmas message is irresistible.

At daily Mass tomorrow we begin to unfold the story of Jesus’ birth. Who can resist the beauty of the first reading today—deserts aflame with flowers, arthritics set to dancing, the tone-deaf singing hymns?

So we don’t miss the change, the parish may take rose-colored vestments out of mothballs, we may light rose-colored candles on the wreath, or fill in our wreaths with desert flowers, pink seashells, seed pods, cones and berries. The seeds of God’s kingdom have been sown in us. In these shining days of Advent they are sprouting in many ways.

How do we bring the promise to light? This is the week to prepare gifts for the poor. It is the week to invite a lonely neighbor to your Christmas dinner, the week to write a note forgiving a lost friend, the week to shatter a family grudge so that even in the desert places of your heart, Christ’s life may blossom.

Weekly reflections are provided by our bulletin publisher, J. S. Paluch, Inc.