Pope: What Nativity Scenes Really Tell Us
By Cindy Wooden – A Nativity scene is a simple reminder of something astonishing: God became human to reveal the greatness of his love “by smiling and opening his arms to all”, Pope Francis said...
Category: Advent
Christmas Giving that Conveys God’s Love For Us
Many people know the short story by O. Henry titled “The Gift of the Magi” in which a young couple with very little financial means figure out how to give each other a gift...
In Advent, Have Hope for South Africa
This year will probably go down as one of the hardest in our national psyche. Its memory will be dominated by the dark incidents of gender-based violence, epitomised by the brutal murder of young...
10 Ways to Put Christ into Christmas
During Advent and at Christmas, our kids focus on Santa Claus and jingling bells. Erin Carelse suggests ten ways of turning their focus to Christ. The speakers in the malls are piping jingle bell songs, trolleys...
All About Advent Calendars!
By Carol Zimmermann – The Advent calendar with one tab or box to open each day for 24 or 25 days taps into something people really like: countdowns. It also highlights the anticipation that is at the...
Why We Must Wait For The Lord
In the age of the selfie and instant gratification, we may lose the patience to discover God within us — but there is a remedy, as FR RALPH DE HAHN explains in his Advent reflection In this age...
Peace Amid the Noise
For Catholics, the Advent season should create a tension in reconciling the secular and the holy elements of the weeks leading up to Christmas. More scrupulous Catholics may even be concerned about whether it...
Advent Matters!
By Deacon Greg Kandra – Christmas is still weeks away, and already we’re exhausted. We’ve heard too much Mariah, endured too much tinsel, watched too many Hallmark specials, been bombarded with too many ads for...
First Sunday of Advent Reflection
A time to breathe, a time to put aside our grievance, a time to let go, and a time to prepare. The years flow together and all the many preparations we have made; preparations...
Want To Add To Hope, Joy, Reflection, Healing? Then You Can Do Advent
By Mark Pattison – Compared to Christmas, Easter and Lent, Advent is the Maytag repairman of liturgical seasons. Hardly anybody calls on it. To many, Advent may seem like four weeks of the priest...
Fourth Sunday in Advent Reflection
When last have you leapt for joy? We flick a switch and have light. We open a faucet and we have water. We dial a number on our smart phones and communicate with friends...
