From Our Pastor: It’s time! Let’s get moving!

The readings this weekend for the Fourth Sunday of Advent have started the shift of “Are you ready?” like last weekend to “It’s time! Let’s get moving!” Micah tells us of the origins of Christ and how God would come into the world and establish an everlasting kingdom! Hebrews tells us that the kingdom is meant to be built in our world in your hearts. Desiring your heart! And then the gospel says, “Yes and now that you accepted Him in your heart, go out and take Him to the world.... RIGHT NOW!”

The urgency to build the kingdom of Christ in our world has never been more. Now is the time. Jesus came into the world to bring His presence into our lives. He came to be with you. Now He needs you to take Him into the whole world. It’s not someone else’s job; it is yours. This Christmas season as we welcome the presence of the little baby Jesus into our lives and homes and celebrations, make sure that He is the center of your lives and homes and celebrations this Christmas. Make prayer a part of your family gatherings. Teach the kids to pray, have them lead the prayer. You will be amazed at how much they will teach you in being grateful and aware of the Lord in their lives. Make a meal prayer something you do before every meal, but especially these big Christmas gatherings. Make prayer a part of Christmas morning as we come down to open presents to remember the greatest gift that was given to the world: Jesus Christ. It doesn’t need to be long, but some short prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude. It will change this Christmas and truly allow Christ to be the reason for this season.

Next weekend, we have Christmas Day on a Saturday morning. Most go to Christmas Eve Mass, which will be Friday. There will be no normal confessions or 4:30 Mass on Saturday evening here. Please make sure everyone is aware of that. Also, remember though that you need to go for both the Solemnity of Christmas and the Sunday Obligation for the feast of the Holy Family. Please make sure you make both obligations. May God bless your celebrations. May you have safe travels to and from those gatherings. May the birth of Christ our King as a little tiny baby move your heart as only babies can do to love in a way you never thought possible. May your Christmas celebrations be holy and joyous.

-Rev. Steven Arisman