In stores across America, Christmas reds and greens have morphed into hearts and shamrocks. Easter pastels are beginning to appear on some shelves. Clearly, there’s something about us that makes it difficult to live in the present moment. Even the liturgical year propels us forward to the next thing.
What sets Advent apart from the usual secular preparations for Christmas is the spiritual dimension: Advent is a time of both prayer and penance. As Catholics, we are called to exercise a more disciplined approach to our spiritual lives during the four weeks of Advent and to pay special attention to our words and deeds as we wait patiently for the coming of Christ.
“Rushing to have and do all the things and readying stuff to look at and cling to does nothing to help us let Christ rush into our lives and ready our hearts for the kingdom of heaven.”
Liturgical living encourages Catholics to follow the rhythms of the Church year at home.
Liturgical living is not only to celebrate within our domestic church, but to lead us toward the wider body of Christ.
