Malankara World

Advent - Waiting for the Savior - Week 1

Advent - Week 1

Advent Reflections for Week 1 (December 1-8)

Advent Reflection for December 1

Advent Reflections for December 2

Advent Reflections for December 3

Advent Reflections for December 4

Advent Reflections for December 5

Advent Reflections for December 6

Advent Reflections for December 7

Advent Reflections for December 8

Reading

Advent I: Waiting for Christ's Return by Justin Holcomb
The first Sunday of Advent sets the tone for the season by looking forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Through the Scripture passages read and the spiritual practices observed, Christians are called to re-orient themselves to a mindset of watching and waiting for Christ's return, while at the same time evaluating their lives on the basis of Christ's first coming. ...

Reclaiming the Mystery of Advent, Part 1: The Meaning of Advent by Br. John Chrysostom Kozlowski, O.P.
Once again Advent is upon us. Our lives will be swept up in a whirlwind of chaos; we will have to find that perfect present; we will attend any number of pre-Christmas Christmas parties. Our ears will be bombarded with Christmas songs everywhere we go as we begin a three week celebration of Our Lord and Savior's birth. ...

'Tis the season by Fr. Jerome Magat
The message of the Gospel for the first Sunday of Advent can be summarized in three phrases found within the narrative itself: "Be watchful." "Be alert." "Watch." While Advent helps us to prepare for the commemoration of the Lord's first coming (Christmas), it also foreshadows the moment when He will come at the end of time. ...

A Recipe for Readiness - A Meditation on the Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent By: Msgr. Charles Pope
As we begin the Advent Season, we are immediately drawn into its principle theme of preparation and readiness for the coming of the Lord. The first coming of the Lord has already been fulfilled at Bethlehem. And while we should prepare spiritually for the coming Christmas Feast, these first weeks of Advent bid us to focus even more on the Second Coming of the Lord in Glory. ...

Mary's Gift of Self Points the Way by Carl E. Olson
The Blessed Mother and Advent Part 1: Mary is the perfect example of one who is perfectly prepared for the coming of God. Young, poor, and unassuming, she would become–by God's grace and her free choice–the Mother of God. Faithful to God’s promise, she embraced the first advent of her Son before it occurred. ...

Prayer

Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God,
the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ
with righteous deeds at his coming,
so that, gathered at his right hand,
they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom.

Another Prayer:

All-powerful God,
increase our strength of will for doing good
that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming
and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven.

Opening Prayer

All-powerful God,
increase our strength of will for doing good
that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming
and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven.

Bible Reading Schedule

This Christmas, do something that will refresh and strengthen your soul. These 25 short, daily Bible readings highlight the birth of Jesus and the purpose for His coming. Related Old Testament passages are also featured. Recapture the reason for the season!

Day 1:  God became a human being

Day 2:  The birth of Jesus is foretold to Mary

Day 3:  The birth of John the Baptist is foretold to Zechariah

Day 4:  Mary visits Elizabeth, the mother of John

Day 5:  John the Baptist is born

Day 6:  An angel appears to Joseph

Day 7:  The ancestors of Jesus, part 1

Day 8:  The ancestors of Jesus, part 2

This Week in Syriac Orthodox Church

In Syrian Orthodox Church, on Sunday, December 2, 2012, we reflect on the Mary's visit to Elizabeth and the pronouncement of Magnificat. Read and meditate with these resources:

Sermons for the Sunday - St. Mary's visit to Elizabeth

Mary's visit to Elizabeth - Malankara World Journal Issue 111

Malankara World Journal Issue 40 - Advent - Mary's Journey to Elizabeth (2011)

See Also:

Advent Week 2

Advent Week 3

Advent Week 4

Malankara World Advent Supplement

Malankara World Christmas Supplement

MW Advent Supplement | MW Christmas Supplement | Sermons Home | Malankara World Journal | Library - Home

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