Dear Friends,

I pray that you have experienced a deepening of your relationship with God through your prayerful participation in AFIRE Ministries’ Advent Prayer Calendar!

As you know, the work of growth in any relationship is ongoing. Now is a good time to decide how you will continue to nourish your relationship with God. Hopefully, the Advent Prayer Calendar has given you a few new ideas, and we have many more offerings throughout the year that may help you in this endeavor:

• Stay in touch to receive inspiration all year, including videos, reflections, online retreats, and more.

• Join us for Monday Evening Prayers (Vespers) via Zoom, Mondays at 6:30PM (ET).

• Visit our online store for more inspiration, including my book of reflections, children’s book, and video series.

• Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more inspirational videos and recorded presentations.

It’s important to protect the Spirit within. Discipline your thoughts, words, and actions. Guard your eyes and ears by considering what you are looking at and listening to. Are they drawing you nearer to or further away from God? Be mindful of time spent using technology and otherwise. We’re all busy, but what are we busy about? How is it nourishing or harming the Spirit withinn?

Finally, if you would like to express your gratitude for this free Advent Prayer Calendar, please consider donating. AFIRE is an official Catholic 501(c)(3) charity approved by the USCCB and the IRS. Your donations are tax-deductible. Our EIN Number is 824490174.

GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD WITH THE LIGHT OF CHRIST THAT HAS BEEN BORN ANEW IN YOU!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Rejoice in awe and wonder! Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), was born today! As we remember, rejoice, and worship Him today, let us also pray for the grace to imitate Him by doing our part (by His grace) to bring peace on Earth.

As we’ve followed the story of the incarnation, especially in the verses over the past week, we have seen the real humanness of those whom God chose to work in and through. They were afraid, confused, and unsure, but they followed God’s will and trusted Him, even when they couldn’t understand or when what was ahead seemed impossible to endure. This is precisely what faith is, and faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit that we should pray for continually.

God became human for a reason. He knows that life will likely not be easy for us. He showed us that by being born in a barn with animals — rejected right from the start! He knows that it can be hard to push forward, to have hope, and to extend love. God came, and he comes to us today, in and through human weakness and imperfection; in doubts and confusion, and in the chaos and stress of life.

By becoming incarnate in this way, Jesus has shown us that, despite all of our imperfections, and the instability of life on Earth, love can be nurtured, protected, and made manifest. By the awesome power of the Holy Spirit that has been given to us, we too can bring God’s love and light into the darkness of the world. This is what we are called to do.

Today — CELEBRATE!! REJOICE AND BE GLAD!!!

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click the video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read Luke 2:8-20 and Philippians 4:4-7.

• Praise God for the gift of His birth and the rebirth of his Spirit within you.

• Have a conversation with God about your Advent Prayer Journey. You may want to thank the Holy Spirit for accompanying you and express gratitude for the blessings you have received over these weeks.

• Pray for the grace of understanding how you may continually nourish and protect God’s Spirit within, so that you may give birth to His Spirit of love in your life and in the world.

Song: Joy to the World.

It’s Christmas Eve! Around the world all are preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ at midnight. Its a time of remembering his incarnation, looking forward to his second coming, and praying for the grace to give birth to his Spirit on Earth.

This is a time of great love, peace, faith, joyful expectation, and hope! Spend time with God and thank Him for the gift of His birth and His abiding presence, especially throughout your Advent prayer journey. Hopefully your relationship with God has grown through the time you have spent with Him over these weeks. Continue to pray for Jesus’ Spirit to be born in you and to reflect on how the Incarnation of God changes the way that you live your life.

If you’ll be exchanging gifts tonight, you may also want to sit down and wrap a gift for Jesus, remembering that he wants only an intimate relationship with you and to dwell fully in your heart. Consider writing a note that expresses what you will offer him. Then place it under the tree or some other place that you prefer.

As you read today’s reading, also begin to think about ways that you can protect the Spirit of Jesus within you — the very Spirit that you have been nourishing throughout Advent. As you will see in the reading, right from the start of his life, there were people out to betray and otherwise harm Jesus. But there are also people who are out to praise and protect him.

For now, on this most holy night, let us simply be still, behold and adore Him.

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click the first video below to listen to today’s opening song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read Matthew 2:1-12.

• As you reflect on Christ’s birth, pray for the grace of giving birth to his love this Christmas and always.

• Click the second video below to listen to today’s closing song for reflection.

Opening Song Adore

Closing Song: Be Born in Me

The incarnation of God should never be reduced to an annual holiday. It is an awesome mystery to be contemplated and appreciated continually!

Not only did God become human, He did so in a very specific way. He chose to be born in a barn amongst animals. He chose to be baptized and to spend His life advocating for, healing, and loving those who were poor and ostracized. He chose to die on a cross.

Today, take some time in gratitude for God choosing to enter the world for us. Really contemplate Luke’s version of the story of the birth of Jesus. Try not to get caught up in the usual images that we see in Christmas cards or on television. Instead, use your imagination to place yourself in the scene. What do you see, hear, smell? Where are you standing in this scene?

These were real people who had just traveled a long distance and were about to give birth. They were rejected at the inn and sent to the barn with the animals. Why might the inn owners not have found a small place for them? How might Mary and Joseph been feeling emotionally and physically?

Why would God choose to enter the world in this particular way? How is He speaking to your heart today as you read, reflect, and pray?

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click the video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read Luke 2:1-7.

• Pray for the grace of a deeper understanding of the incarnation of God and the birth of Jesus.

Song: Emmanuel

Once again in today’s reading, we hear very real human thoughts and emotions. Joseph seems a bit confused and overwhelmed. He even considers divorcing Mary. God hears Joseph in his distress and shows him the way through a dream!

Have you ever experienced God speaking to you in a dream? Or, have you ever experienced the comfort and guidance of God in times when you were afraid and confused? Sometimes God speaks to us through other people. Other times through ideas that seem to just pop into our heads out of nowhere. You might experience God speaking to you through a song, or some unexpected event or announcement. These are just some of the ways that God works to communicate with us. There are certainly many, many more. God is creative and oftentimes playful in the ways that He communicates.

God longs to be in relationship with us, and relationships require communication. God has expressed this to us from the very start. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Yet, even that was not enough. So important was this communication that “the Word became flesh and lived among us” (John 1:14). Our God, whom you’ve been drawing nearer to over these past weeks, become man to be even closer in relationship and to speak to us in new ways!

Today, reflect on the mysterious and awesome ways that God communicates with you.

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click the video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read Matthew 1:18-25..

• Pray for the grace of a deeper awareness of the awesome gift of God’s incarnation!

Song: When Love Crossed Over

One can hear Mary’s contagious joy in today’s reading: “The Canticle of Mary.” It sounds as if the light of Christ is beaming within and through her!

Today, consider that you too are called to shine forth the light of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we make room for Christ in our hearts, his light and love grow within us. Then, like Mary, our spirits fully rejoice in God, and our souls proclaim His greatness in a way that causes others to “leap” in our presence (as in today’s reading). So contagious is God’s love!

This is the goal of our lives — to radiate the love and light of Christ within us into a dark and weary world. What an awesome gift, opportunity, and responsibility! Praise God!

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click the video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read Luke 1:39-56.

• Have a conversation with God about the unique ways your soul might magnify Him. You may choose to pray the Radiating Christ prayer at some point today or this evening.

• Pray for the grace of bringing the Light of Christ into the dark places of our world.

Song: Light of the World

Have there been times when you doubted God’s plan? You are not alone. In today’s reading, we hear Mary pondering how the impossible could possibly happen. Her trust in God is great, so she faithfully follows God’s plan.

There have been several times in my life when I could not imagine how things could ever come together for good. There seemed to be no way out, no answers, and I was frozen in fear. Yet each time, all things did come together for good. All I needed to do was to proceed, one step at a time, in faith, hope, and love. As today’s first reading reminds us, God is always there with us, we only need to trust Him. His grace is enough (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Today’s reading also reminds us once again of the awesome power of the Holy Spirit! and God’s grace, which is always with us. When we feel that we don’t have the strength or the ability, it might just be because we don’t, but God does. By the power of the Holy Spirit we receive gifts that strengthen and sustain us. We only need to open our hearts to receive those gifts.

Today, praise God for His gift of grace.

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click the video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read Luke 1:34-38 and Romans 8:28.

• Continue to ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of faith — to trust God more completely, like Mary, and to say “yes” to His plans for you — even when you cannot understand.

Song: Advent Hymn (Thrill of Hope)

In today’s reading, we hear Mary’s fiat, her unreserved “yes” to God, despite her fear and confusion at the angel’s words. This is a beautiful example for us when we are afraid, confused, or uncertain about what lies ahead. Do we, like Mary, surrender and say “yes, Lord” when we cannot understand why certain things are happening to us or others?

Mary’s “yes — whatever you say, Lord — I will follow you and trust your plan” is exactly what faith is. It’s the ability to fully rely on God and trust in Him, even (or perhaps especially) when we are in extremely difficult situations. This is not easy! Faith is a grace — a gift from God, and a gift that we should pray for regularly. On our own we cannot do this, but with God all things are possible.

Today, consider ways that you may open your heart and mind more fully so that, like Mary, you may be completely open to God’s will for you.

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Choose and click one of the two videos below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read Luke 1:26-33.

• Notice if there is a word or phrase that stands out for you. How might God be speaking to your heart?

• Pray for the gift of a faith like Mary’s.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta said, “If we put our lives in God’s hands, miracles happen.” It seems God is telling us this all throughout the Bible: Do not be afraid . . . Place your trust in Him . . . Anything is possible for God. Miracles do happen. Pray for a miracle. Expect a miracle.

In our evidence-based society, miracles are often dismissed because they lack supporting evidence. We can easily fall into this thinking, and like Zechariah in today’s reading, we might doubt God’s abilities. We too may find ourselves asking: “How can I be sure of this?”

Can you recall miracles in your own life? Consider those wonders that surround us daily that we take for granted — the universe, our own bodies, newborn babies, life itself.

Today, follow Saint Teresa of Calcutta’s advice, and place your life in God’s hands. Then, expect a miracle!

• Pray the Advent Prayer.

• Click the video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read Luke 1:5-25.

• If you would like further material for reflection, you may choose to read Walt Whitman’s poem “Miracles” at some point today.

• Pray for the grace of fully trusting God’s promises, even when what you are facing seems impossible to overcome.

Song: Something Bright, Something Shining

The “reckless love of God” that we reflected on yesterday extends to all of HIs creation — the animals, the vegetation, the water, the air, etc., and we are called to extend our love to them too. Everything that God created reflects God in its own unique way. If only we could see all of creation through God’s eyes.

In Genesis 1, God calls humanity to love and care for the Earth and its creatures. Sadly, our role as human beings in caring for the Earth has been misunderstood throughout the ages. In the past, many interpreted some of the biblical verses to mean that human beings could do as they please with the other life on Earth. As a result, we have not been very good stewards of God’s creation.

Pope Francis explains in his encyclical On Care For Our Common Home, that a more accurate and appropriate biblical interpretation reveals our responsibility to care for those creatures that are more vulnerable than we are. He explains, “Each community can take from the bounty of the earth whatever it needs for subsistence, but it also has the duty to protect the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations.” With greater power comes greater responsibility.

Today, reflect on ways that you may simplify your life so that your actions may heal and not further wound our beautiful planet and it’s precious creatures.

• Pray the Advent Prayer.

• Click the first video below for today’s video reflection.

• Prayerfully read Wisdom 11:24-26 and Genesis 2:15 AND-OR click the second video below for a video reflection that also includes Bible verses.

• If you desire more material for reflection, you may choose to read Birds of a Feather sometime today.

• Pray for the grace of understanding your part in caring for our planet and all of God’s creation.

Video 1 Song: Creation Hymn

Video 2: Christian Reflections on Care for Planet Earth

God’s mission is always that which leads to greater love for Him, ourselves, and others. But knowing how to love as God wants us to love is not so simple as it sounds. I have often said that we sometimes we like to complicate things that are really quite simple, and sometimes we simplify that which is really quite complicated.

For example, when we try to complicate God, He reminds us to keep it simple — God is love (1 John 4:16). Then when we contemplate Jesus on the cross, we realize that love is not that simple after all. God’s love, especially as revealed to us in Jesus, is something that we can never fully comprehend. It’s a mystery that is so rich in meaning for us and for whom God wants us to be. We must draw very near to the Holy Spirit and pray for the grace to understand and try to imitate this amazing, inspiring, and (as today’s song describes it) reckless love.

Today, reflect on the ways that God has revealed what love is to us — from His birth in a lowly barn to His death on a cross. Talk with God about how Jesus’ life reveals who God is, what love means, and how radically He calls us to love.

• Pray the Advent Prayer.

• Click the video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read 1 John 4:7-8, 1 John 4:16, and Mark 12:30-31 AND/OR you may choose to pray with the second video below. (1 Corinthians 13).

• You may choose to read this added reflection now or sometime today: How Well Did You Love?

• Pray for the grace of loving as God loves.

Song: Reckless Love

1 Corinthians 13

Notice, in yesterday’s reading, St. Paul reminded us that the gifts we have received are to be used for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). We all want to use our gifts wisely, but we often feel conflicted as to how God is calling us to use them.

Pope Francis explains in his encyclical Joy of the Gospel that a faithful person or community always bears fruit, “because the Lord wants her to be fruitful.” Mission is our goal as Christians, and that mission is to carry out the work of Jesus Christ on Earth — to be the hands and feet of Jesus for others. The Works of Mercy (see below) are our guide, because Jesus taught them in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-11). Pope Francis says that the Works of Mercy are so important, they are “like a Christian’s identity card.”

It can be difficult to discern exactly what our personal mission is. We may have trouble deciding how to use our gifts and where God is calling us. We may compare ourselves to others and try to be like them, but God has given each of us unique gifts and circumstances. He is calling us to be the best we can be in whatever circumstances we are in right now.

Today, find time to be still, silent, and alone with God. Feel His presence within and around you. Call upon the Holy Spirit to guide you and reflect on your personal call to mission and holiness.

• Pray the Advent Prayer.

• Click the video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Read Matthew 7:16-20 and Romans 12:1-2

• Spend at least 15 minutes in silence.

• Express your gratitude to God for His abiding love. Pray for the grace of knowing His unique mission for you.

Works of Mercy

Corporal Works of Mercy

The corporal works of mercy are kind acts by which we help our neighbors with their material and physical needs.

Feed the hungry

Give drink to the thirsty

Clothe the naked

Shelter the homeless

Visit the sick

Visit the imprisoned

Bury the dead

Spiritual Works of Mercy

The spiritual works of mercy are acts of compassion by which we help our neighbors with their emotional and spiritual needs.

Counsel the doubtful

Instruct the ignorant

Admonish sinners

Comfort the afflicted

Forgive offenses

Bear wrongs patiently

Pray for the living and the dead

Thankfully, Jesus left us a great gift — the Holy Spirit — to guide us and sustain us (Acts 1:8) on our life’s journey and to help us accomplish the mission that he has planned for us. We are never alone! It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we receive all that we need to go forth, to persevere in faith, hope, and love as disciples of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is a great giver of gifts (Isaiah 11:2)! However, gifts must be accepted in order to be received. Did you ever give someone a gift only to find out they gave it away or didn’t use it? How sad God must be if we don’t notice, appreciate, and use the gifts He wants to shower upon us. God will never force anything upon us; we must be open to receive His gifts.

Sometimes the gifts that God gives us may not come in very beautiful packaging, and they may not seem like gifts at all. We may even close our hearts and struggle against what God is trying to give us. As mentioned yesterday, meditating on the crucifix might help us better practice acceptance of all God’s gifts. Who would have ever thought that the crucifixion could lead to one of God’s greatest gifts to humankind? Yet following the crucifixion came the resurrection and eventually the descent of the Holy Spirit!

The Holy Spirit is the very breath of God. In order to feel someone’s breath, we have to be very near to them. The same is true for the Holy Spirit. Our experience of the Holy Spirit is dependent on our nearness to Christ. We must continually draw near to him in order to feel God’s breath of life. So if you ever feel as if you’re becoming doubtful or hopeless or that you cannot feel God’s presence, keep drawing nearer until you are close enough to feel God’s breath.

Today, reflect on the presence of the Holy Spirit within and around you. Consider what unique gifts God has given to you and how He might be calling you to use them.

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click the first video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

• Ask God to pour out HIs grace so that His love and peace may be born in you and that you may live your life following Jesus’ example.

• At some point before you go to sleep, pray the Prayer to the Holy Spirit (second video below)

Song: Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God

Once we’ve embarked on a journey to live our lives through, for, and with God, we want to be sure that we are deeply committed to Him and to His plan. To do that, we will have to set aside our own plans and be open to receive all that God wants to give us.

This openness to receive all that God wants to give us is what acceptance is all about. It means taking and receiving all of life, the joys as well as the sorrows. Acceptance is a posture of openness before God and trust that He is with us and is refining us and making us holy, especially when things are not going as we thought they would or believe they should. It means letting go, and not being anxious about the future because all of it is resting firmly in God’s hands.

Throughout his life, Jesus experienced opposition, rejection, pain, humiliation, and loss, but he always moved forward in faith, open to receive all that he encountered for love of God. Jesus’ posture on the crucifix is the ultimate example of acceptance. Certainly, this was not what he desired, but his arms are wide open to God and His will. As he breathes his last breath, Jesus cries out: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

Today, open your heart and soul wide to receive all that God wants to give you. Pray for the grace of accepting and fully trusting His will for you. You may decide to pray with your hands open instead of folded.

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click the video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read Matthew 6:25-32.

• For more inspiration, you may choose to read Open to Receive sometime today.

• Pray for the grace of wanting and choosing only what God wants.

Song: Open Hands

Yesterday, we began to consider how Jesus might be calling us to live our lives. While he was on Earth, Jesus showed us the way. If we want to know “the way,” we need only spend time getting to know the person of Jesus in the Gospels, from his birth to his crucifixion, death, and resurrection. There we can draw nearer to the person of Christ and the ways that he teaches us are holy and blessed.

Notice that I keep stressing “the person” of Jesus. We often want to keep Jesus above contemplating his divinity, rather than his humanity from below. Jesus walked the earth as a person among people. Like us he had options, feelings, conflicts, joys, sorrows, and all else that comes with being a human. He walked a specific path, and that path is our guide.

We tend to view the Holy Family “from above” too, forgetting that they walked the earth and faced great challenges and losses. Reading their stories in the Gospels “from below” gives us great insight into the way that they chose to live and the values that were important to them while they were on Earth.

Jesus also gave us a very specific guide to live by, the Beatitudes. Today, consider the values that Jesus taught and pray for a deeper understanding of the values Jesus is calling you to live by.

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click the video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read Matthew 5:1-12 and/or reflect on the second video below.

• Pray for the grace of a deeper understanding of the mind and heart of Jesus and a desire to follow him more closely.

Song: The Summons

The video above is optional for reflection on the Beatitudes.

Once we’ve repented and experienced God’s amazing grace, we are ignited with the fire of the Holy Spirit, with a renewed zeal to live our lives in a way that bears abundant fruit (Colossians 1:10). We are not meant to hold on to the precious gifts that God has given us. We are meant to share them with others to build up the Body of Christ and the Kingdom of God here on Earth (1 Peter 4:10). This is the essence of Christian discipleship. When we hear God’s voice and respond to His call, we are led on a path of living in the way that Jesus lived — loving and serving God and others.

Life is a precious, God-given gift, and too often, we take it for granted. We assume there will be another day, or another chance to live as disciples. We forget that our time on Earth is limited. God has given us the gift of life, and He has showered us with many gifts and blessings, and He continues to do so. The way we live our lives is our gift to God.

In today’s reading, Jesus reminds us that if we want to live our lives in a way that God desires, we must remain very near to him. He will show us the way, and He will give us the strength. We may want to ponder a few questions. How often do I make rash decisions, never thinking about God’s will or our destiny? Do I remain connected to Jesus (the vine) so that I (the branch) may bear good fruit?

Today, reflect on how you want to live the remainder of this precious life that our loving God has given you. Consider the reality of death and those Christian values that you want to guide your life on Earth. Ask God how specifically He is calling you to live your life as a disciple of Jesus.

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click the video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read Genesis 3:19 and John 15:1-5..

• If you desire, you may choose to read this reflection sometime today: It’s Just a Matter of Time

• Pray for the grace of living authentically in the way that Jesus revealed.

Song: When It’s All Been Said and Done

When we catch a glimpse of ourselves through the eyes of God’s pure love, we will likely feel small, weak, and humbled. When we see more clearly our own sinfulness and feel that sorrow that is leading us to change our lives for the better, it can be overwhelming. We may feel as if we will never be able to “get it right.” We are correct. On our own we can never get it right.

However, our God is a great Giver, and this is precisely the space (in our weakness) where we experience God’s grace most powerfully! He freely showers it upon us in our sinfulness. We didn’t cause it. We can’t earn it. Although we are undeserving, He extends mercy toward us, and His grace makes us new. God creates a new heart within us and, by His grace, our sins are forgiven. We feel His mercy and His love and we are forever changed and propelled to follow the way of Jesus.

Today, reflect on the AWESOME mercy, love, and forgiveness of God! This is AMAZING GRACE!

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click the video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read Luke 15:11-32.

• Pray for the grace of God’s forgiveness and that you may be able to extend mercy and forgiveness to others, as God does.

Song: Amazing Grace

Awareness of our own sins and societal sin can make us feel guilty and remorseful, but we are not meant to dwell in these emotions. The word emotion is derived from the Latin word movere, which means “to move.” These emotions that we experience when we become aware of our sinfulness are God’s way of moving us to our knees before God.

If we remain stuck in the sorrow or guilt part, we may never move towards the change that God is calling us to. Being stuck is not part of God’s plan for us. He calls us to repentance so that He can forgive us and heal us. Then He wants us to show that same mercy and forgiveness to others. In this way, we are moving out of the web of sinfulness and weaving the web of His love.

Today, make an Examination of Conscience.

In this space of awareness of the need for change and desire to change, we pray for God’s mercy and forgiveness. And God’s mercy is always greater than our sin.

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read Matthew 4:17, Luke 5:32, Acts 17:30-31.

• Pray for the grace of repentance (feeling such sorrow for your sin that you want to change for the better).

• Go to confession sometime during the next week.

Extra song for the Holy Day. Today, the Church celebrates the special privilege given only to Mary, preservation from the stain of original sin — The Feast of the Immaculate Conception*. Throughout the day, also reflect on the beauty of this grace given to Mary, as you consider your own sinfulness. An extra song for reflection is included below.

*The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is usually celebrated on December 8th. Since December 8th falls on a Sunday of Advent this year, the feast day is celebrated today.

We are called to love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds and to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:37-39). When we make choices that hurt or destroy our ability to love God and others (by things we have thought, said, done, or did not do but should have ), we have sinned. Sin hurts us and others and keeps us from receiving and giving the fullness of God’s love.

It can be all too easy to notice the sins of others and think that we are not sinners ourselves, especially in comparison to some of the terrible evils that are happening around us. However, the web of sin is a complex one. It weaves through everyone in the history of the world, and it intertwines with our personal histories, similar to the way the effects of trauma on an individual leave a mark within a person’s genes that can be passed on to future generations.

Today, reflect on your thoughts, words, actions, and omissions in the light of God’s presence. Ask Him to reveal to you those things that you may be blind to that He wants to transform.

• Pray the Advent Prayer.

• Click the video below for today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read 1 John 1:5-10.

• Spend at least 15 minutes in silence and consider how God might be calling you to grow in holiness.

• Ask for the grace of seeing clearly your own sinfulness.

Song: Lead Me to the Cross

As you continue to become more aware of God's awesome presence within and around you, begin now to consider those things that may be blocking the fullness of His love from residing in you. Are you afraid that God may not love you? Do you doubt God? Are you angry with God or the Church? Prideful? Resentful? These are just some ways we might keep our hearts locked and closed off from the fullness of love that God wants to give us.

In many ways, our relationship with God is not unlike our human relationships. If we have been hurt by others (and who among us hasn’t?), we can develop defensive behaviors to keep them at a bit of a distance because we are afraid to be hurt again. We might feel safer there for a while, but before long we will likely feel sad and lonely.

Without realizing it, we can bring these defensive behaviors to our relationship with God, keeping Him at a distance as we do others. God will not force Himself upon us. He is always waiting for us to unlock our hearts, and He just needs a little space to enter.

Today, begin to notice times when you close your heart to God and others.

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click below to play today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read 1 John 4:18-29.

• Ask for the grace of courage to open your heart to receive and give God’s love more fully.

Song: Fear is Easy, Love is Hard

Not only has God been walking beside you throughout your life and around you in “all things” — God’s love has also been dwelling right within you! Saint Paul reminds us so eloquently of this in his first letter to the Corinthians: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Talk about miracles that we pass by without noticing!

Like Jesus in Mary’s womb, the Spirit of God dwells within our hearts. It’s a gift each of us was given at our baptism (Acts 2:38). Advent is a special time for us to open up our hearts and prepare the sacred space where Jesus’ Spirit dwells within us so that the Spirit can grow and thrive.

Today, shift your focus from God around you to God within you, right here and now in every moment. Begin by observing how God may be moving within you during this time of prayer and then all throughout the day. This is a good practice for us to do daily. God speaks volumes all throughout the Bible, and he continues speaking today. He has much to say to you!

Be still, and begin to listen closely for His voice. What is He saying? How will you respond?

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click below to play today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read 1 Samuel 3.

• Consider what questions, worries, or fears you may have about allowing God unreservedly into your heart.

• Ask for the grace of a deeper awareness of God’s Spirit dwelling within you, and the ability to recognize and respond to His voice.

Song: Whisper

Like a faithful Father, God has been with you throughout your entire life, walking alongside you and holding your hand. He has given you many gifts and has carried you through some difficult moments.

Take time to reflect on your memories of God. Notice how He has been near to you throughout your entire life. Are there times that stand out as particularly significant? Perhaps your Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, or other religious event? Maybe there was a particular person who brought God’s comfort to you? Are there certain people in your life who feel as though they were sent directly to you as a gift from God? Did an unexpected opportunity arise in your life that brought you nearer to God and His will for you? Or was there a difficult time that you endured and overcame by God’s grace?

Today, sit with God as you would with a dear friend and recall your memories together. Be creative if you have the desire! For example, you might want to journal, draw, or make a collage. Then again, you may feel more comfortable simply sitting with a cup of coffee and reminiscing with God. Follow your heart. Speak with God, and take the time to listen. He has many loving memories of you too!

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click below to play today’s song for reflection.

• Read Psalm 23 and/or reflect on the Psalm 23 video below.

• Spend time with God throughout the day recalling the moments when you most felt His presence (in people, places, events, etc.). Let the memories surface as they will. There is no need to force it. God will reveal all to you when you express your desire to Him.

• Ask for the grace of deeply experiencing God’s unique love for you.

Songs: It’s Always Been You and Psalm 23

Now that you’ve recognized the wonders of God in creation, take time to consider that the Lord of all creation (Nehemiah 9:6) also created you! As His child, He knows you and loves you completely and uniquely.

When we were children in school, we may have been told how unique we were — like snowflakes. I remember marveling at the idea that no two snowflakes were the same. This is something that we seem to forget as we get older. We tend to lose our sense of wonder and awe, especially about ourselves. As St. Augustine said so eloquently:

“Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering.”

Today, consider that there never was and never will be another you. It’s rather unfathomable! Throughout all of eternity, in all of the infinitely expanding universe, everywhere — anywhere, in all time and every place, there never was and never will be another you. Never. Ever.

So precious are you to God! So specifically and so specially did God knit you in the womb (Psalm 139:13).

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click the first video below to listen to today’s song for reflection

• Prayerfully read Psalm 139:1-18 OR . . . Click the second video below to reflect on the Psalm.

• Pray for the grace of recognizing God’s deep and unique love for you.

Song: O Perfect Father

Psalm 139.

Psalm 66:4 reminds us that all of the earth reveals God to us: “All the earth worships you; they sing praises to you, sing praises to your name.”

Today, continue to reflect on finding God in all things — especially the natural world. Spend as much time in nature as you are able, whether it be a walk, a hike, or sitting in a park or the yard. If you can’t be outdoors, simply gaze out a window.

Take time to see how all the Earth worships and glorifies God. Be in awe of the beauty that surrounds you! Contemplate the sky during the day and at night. Marvel at the sunset and/or the moonrise if you are able. Breathe in the fresh air. Really observe the trees, plants, animals, and insects — the ground below; the sky above.

Let nothing go unnoticed and unappreciated. All of it has been created by God and, as such, reveals something of Him to us.

• Pray the Advent Prayer..

• Click video below to listen to the song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read Genesis 1:1-24.

• Ask God for the grace of seeing Him in all of creation.

• St. Francis of Assisi had a special gift for recognizing God in all of creation. You may want to consider praying his Canticle of the Creatures at some point today.

Song: God of Wonders

Saint Ignatius of Loyola believed that all things reveal something of God to us. Every person, place, or thing can give us insight into God, if we could only be more alert and aware and shift our focus to see all things through this perspective.

How often do we rush through life without noticing all that is around us and within us? We either race from here to there, or our actions become so routine that just we don’t notice small things.

If you want to test this, take a walk or a drive down a familiar street, or simply sit in a familiar room, but really look around this time. What do you see that you never really noticed or appreciated before? How much of what God wants to reveal to us are we missing?

Today, begin to draw nearer to God by noticing His presence all around you and in all things.

• Pray the Advent Prayer.

• Click the video below to listen to the song for reflection.

• Then, prayerfully read Psalm 89:11-16 .

• Spend the day “walking in the light of God’s presence.” Notice how great our God is!

• Pray for the grace of being aware of God’s presence in all things throughout the day.

• Tonight there are two extra special opportunities on Zoom: Evening Prayer (6:30PM ET) and the Advent Mini Retreat (7:00PM). The link was sent to you in email. Please join us!

Song: I Stand in Awe.

The Advent season begins today. It is a time of preparation for our souls, as we turn our hearts and minds to remember our Lord’s promise to come again at the end of time and to celebrate the anniversary of Jesus’ incarnation on Christmas Day.

As we begin the Advent Prayer Calendar, we might ask ourselves a few questions. How does the fact that God became man and will come again change how we live our lives, both during Advent and always? How might we prepare differently this Advent if we knew Jesus was coming again on Christmas Day?

That’s the question we want to ask ourselves throughout this season. As the world tries to pull us away from our focus, let’s continually refocus by asking ourselves: “If Jesus comes again this Christmas Day, am I ready? If not, what do I need to do to prepare?

As you begin this Advent prayer journey, pray for the grace to be open to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I guarantee you, they’ll be the best gifts you receive this Christmas!

• Pray the Advent Prayer.

• Click the video below to listen to today’s song for reflection.

• Prayerfully read 1 Kings 19:9-13.

• Then, ask yourself, “what are you doing here?” Consider what you desire from God and what God desires from you as you begin this Advent journey.

• Ask God for the grace of drawing closer to Him.

Song: We Wait in Hope for the Lord.