O come, O come,

Emmanuel Dear Friends, Although the Christmas music has already begun to play on the radio, we wait anxiously for the coming of that day that when the Light will shine in the darkness, to dispel the shadows of doubt and fear, and radiate His life divine from the manger in Bethlehem. In hope, we hold on to the faith that has been given to us and look forward to the coming of Jesus our Savior. As we enter this holy season of Advent, we are focused more intently on the coming of Jesus into our lives, our homes. In these dark days, our eyes long for the light. We may be exhausted by the Covid fatigue mentioned frequently, or just from life in general. This season is one in which we begin again, reboot, so to speak. Advent helps us to focus on the Mystery of the Incarnation, through which God saved the world. As we celebrate the mysteries of this season, we are reminded of the reason for our faith and how salvation began as God humbled Himself to be born of the Virgin Mary. We hear St. John the Baptist cry out in the Third Sunday of Advent, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” In a new and different way, may the Holy Spirit help us to prepare our hearts for the celebrations to come. As we send you the calendar for the year ahead, marked with the Feasts and celebrations of the Church and the secular world, I am reminded of the tradition we had when I was a child of the Advent Calendar. I recall the joyful anticipation of opening the next “door” on the calendar to see what figure would be revealed. Day after day, we would remove small plastic figurines that would comprise the Nativity scene until the glorious day of Christmas Eve when the baby Jesus in the manger would finally arrive. Advent teaches us that each day is a gift filled with longing and expectation to encounter Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. Hold fast to the faith that has been handed on to us and to the hope that it affords us especially in times of darkness and uncertainty. In the Hope of His wonderful light,

Fr. Jack D. Shrum Pastor