From Mike’s Desk
December 1st, 2009 by Mike Enright
Today is Advent Sunday – marking the start of the season of Advent, a period of special preparation for Christmas. The purpose of this traditional season is to help Christians focus on what Christmas really means, why the Christmas story is so important and so worth marking and celebrating. The traditional readings and emphases of the Advent season are designed to help us prepare ourselves for a genuine and worshipful celebration of the birth of Jesus – the “Word become flesh”, Emmanuel – God with us.
I think there has probably never been a time when Advent has been more important! In our age and in our society, when Christmas has become for so many a festival of consumption and commercialism, it is really valuable to take the traditional journey through Advent, and make a point of thinking afresh about what Christmas is really about.
I want to strongly urge you to do that. Particularly those of you who are parents – follow the Advent readings and traditions with your children. It’s easy to find suitable material on the internet, or in Christian bookshops. And it is worth the effort!