Second Sunday of Advent (Year C)

God has not forgotten His people: He loves you, He is caring for you, He is coming for you. Most of us try too hard. We are trying to make this work on our own instead of waiting for God. The work we really need to do is to level the mountains and fill in the valleys. The mountains are all the ways we exalt ourselves, usually at the expense of others. The valleys are all the low points, especially our sins and failures. God needs a smooth place free of obstacles so he can "land" in our hearts. The valleys need to be filled with God's love; the mountains need to be humbled before God. Here are four practical suggestions to give God a level landing:

1. Sunday Mass Take time at the beginning of each week to thank God for all His blessings and open your life to more blessings.
2. A Decade of the Rosary Gather as a family each day of Advent and pray one decade of the Rosary. The Rosary can do the same thing on a daily basis as the Mass does every week.
3. The Sacrament of Reconciliation It's a great way to all the merciful love of God to fill in the deeper valleys of our failure and sins.
4. Dedicating your Family to the Holy Family Bishop Ricken is asking all families to dedicate themselves to the Holy Family on December 27th. If you are registered at a local Catholic parish in our Diocese, look for a mailing from the Bishop.

God has not forgotten you and He is coming for you. Are you prepared to receive Him? (6 Dec 2015)

Point to Ponder: Is my Christmas to-do list really preparing me to celebrate Jesus' birthday?

Point to Discuss: Talk to a friend about how your life would be different if you waited in joyful hope for the coming of Christ.