Advent begins the church year with our happiest season. Hope is alive, anticipation is keen, and the world around us puts on a festival of lights, music, and storytelling.

If a shoot can sprout from Jesse's aged stump, then hope sure does spring eternal even in circumstances we've given up for dead.

Christmas is on its way. You can feel it rushing in toward us like a runaway train, uncontrollable and inevitable. It transforms the environment of the church as much as the landscape of the community, not to mention the economic reality of many parishioners.

The baby, Lily, took one look at me and her eyes widened like saucers.

Today, John the Baptist, asks us to think of ourselves as trees. A mighty oak comes to mind or a graceful birch.

As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christ’s love, let us acknowledge our failures and ask the Lord for pardon and strength.

If you lose faith, you lose all.

Browse our library for additional Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle A material.