Advent Week One - Cycle A

First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2022

Isaiah 2: 1-5, Psalm 122: 1-9, Romans 13: 11-14, Matthew 24: 37-44

Reflection

Advent involves a dual preparation. We prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas and we prepare for His second coming at the end of time. The Incarnation, God the Father’s great act of love for us, makes possible the unimaginable: God being one of us. Through his birth Jesus, true God and true Man, makes it possible for us to share in the life of the Trinity for all eternity.

This new life begins and is celebrated in the Sacrament of Baptism. Marked with the Sign of the Cross and welcomed into the Church, the Body of Christ, we are a new creation. Whether as an adult or a child, we are clothed in Christ and receive the light of Christ.

Prepare

Prior to participating in the Holy Mass this weekend, read the Scripture readings. Note particularly verse 5 in the passage from Isaiah and the Psalm Response: “Let us walk in the light of the Lord.” and “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” 

Reflect on the following from the:

Order of Baptism for Adults
The celebrant says to the godparents:

Godparents, please come forward to give the newly baptized the light of Christ.

A godparent of each of the newly baptized goes to the celebrant, lights a candle from the Easter Candle, then presents it to the newly baptized.

Then the celebrant says to the newly baptized:

You have been enlightened by Christ.
Walk always as children of the light
and keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts.
When the Lord comes, may you go out to meet him
With all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.

Order of Baptism for Children
The celebrant takes the Easter candle and says:

Receive the light of Christ.

Someone from the family (such as the father or godfather) lights the child’s candle from the Easter candle.

The celebrant then says:

Parents and godparent (godparents), this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ. He (she) is to walk always as a child of the light. May he (she) keep the flame of faith alive in his (her) heart. When the Lord comes, may he (she) go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.

Celebrate

During Mass, listen carefully to the readings.

Let your profession of faith be a renewal of your baptismal call to walk in the light of the Lord and to keep the flame of faith alive in your heart.

Live

Let your words and actions be a source of light to your family, friends and co-workers.

Reach out and share the light of Christ with those struggling financially, emotionally or mentally.

Talk with your parish staff and offer to accompany them or to send a note/or some notes of encouragement when they visit parishioners who are home bound or living in a nursing facility in your area.

Advent in Your Home - The Domestic Church

CLICK HERE to find activities to celebrate Advent in your home.