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December 4, 2009
Advent Weekday
(St. John of Damascus, priest and doctor of the Church)

Read

Read the first lesson from this year’s celebration of “Lessons and Carols.”

Daily Readings

Pray

Father and maker of all,
you adorn all creation
with splendor and beauty,
and fashion human lives
in your image and likeness.
Awaken in every heart
reverence for the work of your hands,
and renew among your people
a readiness to nurture and sustain
your precious gift of life.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflect

Pope Benedict XVI , Following Christ, 191
Spiritual Coming
“In the first [coming],” St. Bernard wrote, “Christ was our redemption; in the last coming he will reveal himself to us as our life: in this lies our repose and consolation” (Discourse 5 on Advent, 1). The archetype for that coming of Christ, which we might call a “spiritual incarnation,” is always Mary. Just as the Virgin Mother pondered in her heart on the Word made flesh, so every individual soul and the entire Church are called during their earthly pilgrimage to wait for Christ who comes and to welcome him with faith and love ever new.

Homily at First Vespers in the Vatican
December 2, 2006

Act

Gather  your family and discuss each member’s  favorite Old Testament story.  Watch a video (video coming soon) as Bishop Jaime Soto of the Diocese of Orange shares his favorite Old Testament story.