An Advent Message and Invitation

Dear Parishioners and Friends,
 
Please join me in entering into this joyful, hopeful, and yes also penitential season of Advent here at Nativity of Our Lord! 
 
Our liturgies over these next 24 days will reflect this beautiful paradox as we seek to prepare ourselves for the two great moments of Jesus “coming” to us — his first, at the first Christmas, and his second, at the end of time. 

The great ancient wisdom of the Church tells us that by remembering well his first coming we will be better prepared for his second. In doing so, may we sing together with great anticipation, O Come O Come Emmanuel!
 
The insert in this bulletin provides you with information on how to prepare well this Advent through prayer, penance, and preparing a manger (which you’ll notice we’ve again done at the rectory in our usual grand fashion!) 

Please also take advantage of the great Advent content via our electronic subscription to FORMED, as well as Bishop Robert Barron’s usual excellent video reflections which are again available on our website (at the bottom of the front page).
 
Finally, I’d like to personally invite you to two Advent events here at Nativity: First, our annual Advent Morning of Reflection on Saturday, December 14; and second, our annual Advent Reconciliation Service on Tuesday, December 17. 

After all, there is no better way to prepare for Jesus’s coming than with a loving repentance of our sins in the sacrament of forgiveness.
 
Advent blessings to you and yours.
 
Fr. Patrick Hipwell, pastor
 
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A previous version was published in the December 1 parish bulletin.