16 1st WEEK OF ADVENT st Week of Advent Keep watch! We place ourselves in the presence of the Lord: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. To keep watch is first of all to love It is the first week of Advent. Advent means “arrival” or “coming.” During Advent, we prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus, born on Christmas Day! Getting ready for Jesus isn’t something we do at the last minute. Instead, we prepare day by day. We read the Bible, pray, and go out of our way to be kind to others. The more good we do, the more our hearts will fill with love. Jesus wants to live in our hearts! Will our hearts be ready to welcome him? A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark: J esus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’” (Mk 13:33-37) Advent is exciting. It is also a challenge. We are called to stay alert and prepare our hearts for Jesus to come. God does not leave us to do this alone. He speaks to us when we pray and when we read the Bible. When we spend time with God, he helps us to want to do kind and thoughtful acts—and he makes it feel easier along the way! With each loving thought, word, and action, our hearts become more and more ready for Jesus.
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