It's understandable that people do not want to wait until the actual celebration of Christmas, but aren't we then acting like the children who search their house for weeks before their own birthday trying to find where their presents are hidden? If those children happen to find their presents beforehand, then their birthday becomes a big let down. Unfortunately, that is what can happen to us when we celebrate Christmas ahead of time. Those of us who are followers of Christ believe that He is God the Son who became one of us 2012 years ago in order to save us from the terrible penalty of our sins. This is a birth well worth celebrating. But to fully understand Christmas, it is most important that we be prepared spiritually. Advent is a very important time to help us reconnect to the message given to God's chosen people as far back as 1000 B.C., when King David was promised that one of his descendants would be the Messiah—the King forever. Over those 10 centuries and up through the time of John the Baptist, the prophets helped prepare the way for the Messiah by telling the faithful to turn away from sin and to rekindle their love for God and for each other. This is how we can also best observe the time of Advent, the special time God has given us to prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus. During the next 24 days, let us take the opportunity to take part in the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), to forgive someone who has trespassed against us, to pray together, to read parts of the Bible together as a family (the Gospel of Luke would be a great place to start) and to make some special effort to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. God knew that His chosen people needed 10 centuries to prepare for the first coming of the Messiah. Is it too much to ask for us to spend a few weeks preparing ourselves to celebrate His birthday? If a Virginia asks you if there really is an Advent season, tell her "Yes, Virginia, there is an Advent!” And it’s a very important time to prepare our hearts to better welcome Jesus.
—Todo con Amor!"