Sunday next before Advent, November 22nd, 2020
In some ways the year 2020 has seemed like an eternity but here we are fast approaching December. This Sunday is the last Sunday before the holy season of Advent, which begins next week. And this year, just like every other year, people seem to focus on everything but the real reason for the season. Now, more than ever, we should focus on the what the true meaning of Christmas is. And Advent does just that. Advent prepares us, it helps us to focus on the great and wonderful feast of Christmas which will soon be upon us. But just like every other year, people in society lose sight of the real reason for the season. They focus on everything but the Divine Child born at Bethlehem. They focus on getting the latest and greatest gifts they see advertised on TV. They focus on parties and food and trees and presents and sending out cards and stringing the lights . . . . and . . . and . . . and . . . All of these things are wonderful, without a doubt. And in my humble opinion after this year of 2020 we need these things more than ever to get our minds off of a worldwide pandemic!!!! But the point is still the same, Christmas should remind us of the greatest gift of all time. It is the day in which God gave the Gift of His Son to humanity! He gave this wonderful gift to all of us, to you, to me, to everyone!!! God loved the world so much that He sent His Son into the world to save us from our sins. And Christ loved us so much that He came to earth as an innocent little baby. When you think about it things haven't changed very much from two-thousand some years ago until now. When the Divine Infant was born in Bethlehem so long ago there were very few who took notice . . . . some shepherds . . . and then the Magi who came in search of Him. Today few take notice of Him either. We do not notice because we are not looking . . . we are not searching. We are too busy looking for the latest, greatest gift we can give and / or receive on Christmas. We are too busy looking for bargains on "Black Friday." We are too busy putting up the Christmas Tree and stringing up the lights. We are too busy to take notice. The shepherds took notice because they were searching. The Magi took notice and searched for the Christ Child. So too must we search for Christ. As Christians we need to search for Christ and stay close to Him. We need to ever stay near to Our Blessed Saviour and never forsake Him. And Advent helps us to do just this. Advent helps us to focus on preparing ourselves for the coming of the small, innocent baby born at Bethlehem. Advent reminds us to prepare our hearts for the Christ Child. Advent helps us to remember the real reason for the season. So this year, . . . . more than ever, . . . . use this time wisely to focus on the real reason for the season, focusing on God's Gift to the world and treasuring that Gift forever!
PLEASE NOTE: St. Margaret Church will NOT meet on Sunday, November 22nd, 2020.
St. Margaret Church is still being affected, as is the whole world, by the Coronavirus outbreak. Specifically, our church is not allowed to meet as we would like due to CDC and State recommendations. But despite these recommendations, our members still continue to pray to Our Heavenly Father. Our members still continue to reach out to their neighbors and loved ones. Our members still continue to be the face and hands and instruments of the Lord throughout these troubling times. Additionally, Fr. Todd also continues to post his sermons and reflections online. So, please continue to pray for St. Margaret Church and all the Christian Churches throughout the world that we may continue to stay close to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
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