The True Meaning of Advent

What is the best way to prepare for the season of Advent? You’re free to do what you know will help you prepare for Christmas the best. If decorating and so forth does not help you prepare for the coming of Christ, you can be the judge of whether it’s worth doing.

Fr. Mike also wants to remind us that Advent is not just about preparing for Christmas. It’s also about preparing for Christ’s Second Coming. One day we will meet Christ face to face. Advent is the stark reminder that we need to get ready for eternity. With that in mind, what if you prepared as if December 25 will be the day you die?

Have a merry Advent.

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[rarlenes]

Excellent message! Today is my birthday; I turn 83 years old. My advent calendar is on the wall, and I prepare for the coming of Christ. I was baptized in the Catholic Church as a newborn baby, and then again in a Baptist Church several years later. In preparation of Advent—according to Father Mike’s “true meaning” of same, I will prepare to meet Jesus. I will return to the Catholic Church! Thank you, Father Mike! A month ago I had no knowledge of you. Since listening to your sermons, the cloud has lifted, and I return to the religion of my youth! Merry Christmas.❤

[furusaogoge]

As a Baptist, I believe that it is priests like this who will lead us all to full reconciliation!

[babyelias]

Tbh, I am born in a religious hindu family, and I'll be college this year, and I'll be independent, so I've never celebrated advent and Christmas but I do want to decorate my tree and stuff like that, I will go to mass everyday and pray more, I'll try my best. Pray for me.

[jeffreybabino]

And one day we will meet Christ face to face God bless everyone watching this ✝️🙏

[tbhausen]

This is my first Advent since my confirmation at the age of 56. Praise God I finally "get" Christmas. I also no longer fear death, as I am indeed preparing.

[lynnk]

I'm laying next to my husband of 20 plus years, and since February of 2022 it's been 1 day at a time, as in February he suffered a stroke. It is so hard I'm his caregiver and I ask Jesus to keep me strong
We have completed 10 Marathons together, so this is a never ending run.I've been his Wife, dietitian, rehab aide, chauffeur (as he decided he should no longer drive)
l've been his everything. it's really ironic we've been preparing for Advent daily.We don't have a plan for "what if I get sick" ( I have rhematoid arthritis) I have 3 friends that told me they would be my Support Group..I'm truly Blessed. Thank you Fr
Mike by putting this in perspective God Bless

[ZaileeMadrigal]

Wow, this made me reflect so much I found myself crying by the end of the video. I grew up Catholic but I have been angry with god from the age of 15-now in my mid twenties for all the challenges and hardships I grew up with. I am opening my heart more and this holiday season I want to celebrate Christmas by celebrating Jesus. Thank you for this

[justinabegg]

This really opens my eyes... I dont know when God will call me home. I need to live every day like it’s my last... AMEN

[edgarvictoria]

ConfessIon is the best first step for preparation. Amen!

[faithhope]

I hope and pray that this Advent, people will FAST from WORLDLINESS, and Feast on thinking & praying extra for the POOR in the try to give charity in different ways, , , , it costs nothing, , , , GOD GOD BLESS THIS WORLD WITH HIS LOVE&

[ernestsantiago]

I was seeking the meaning of Advent. Thank you for your eye opening explanation. Your words from the Lord are meaning today as you did this video years ago. The Lord word and truth is aways timeless. Thank you and Bless you Father

[christinetuthill]

As a child we put a Christmas tree up the week before Christmas. The Nativity scene was under the tree… but the Baby Jesus was never under the tree until late on the night of the 24th. I never forgot that and carried that tradition into adulthood and passed it on to my children.

[StevenJBosch]

Dear Father Mike, Please remember my client, Robert, who died this morning after a long illness. Please ask the Father to confer eternal rest on him and make perpetual light shine upon him. may his soul and all the souls of the Faithful departed through Your mercy rest in peace Amen.

[therese]

My dad died on December 24th, so yes, I actually do live Advent with that question in mind, ....I don’t rush to get the gifts under the tree before or during Advent, and I don’t hurry to get decorations up, but the Christmas season has been the most joy filled and meaningful ever since I learned that my next breath depends on God.

[JayRedding_]

I already started. Looking forward to what Fr. Mike has to say. I've been listening to the Mitch Miller Christmas that I grew up with.

[joe]

Father, I sure wish I had your faith in the church. I focus on Jesus, I could no longer handle the hypocrisy of its members. This might be my last advent/Christmas on earth. I have lung cancer. Please pray for me. In him, and his love.

[cw]

Thank you God for people like Fr Mike who can so passionately and clearly explain the mysteries of our faith.

[lindamartin]

"What are the steps you would need to take on Dec. 25th, to wake up dead?" "Use this Advent to prepare yourself to celebrate Christmas and to die." Words I wouldn't necessarily have thought to pair together: "wake up dead" and preparing for a day to both celebrate and die. Seven years ago, my younger cousin (same age as my little sister) died unexpectedly three days before Christmas. We did not decorate that year and spent much of our time at my aunt and uncle's; while everyone else oblivious to this was busy with the typically commercial side of Christmas, my cousin's body was in a casket in his parents' living room (they waked him at home and my mom and her siblings took turns keeping vigil with my aunt). Due to all of the extras involved for the priests with the schedule for Christmas Masses, we had to wait a couple of extra days to have the funeral and burial. On his memorial card is a poem called "My First Christmas in Heaven". That Christmas and every one since has taken on a new meaning. Thank you for these wise words, Father Mike!

[michellerosebrown]

Praying a lot is the first step to celebrate Advent. God bless. 🙏🏾

[monamenager]

I have never thought of Advent the way Father Mike presents it here, but as a Catholic, I know the importance of the season. To me, decorating is also a way to celebrate the coming of Jesus. The nativity scene is always the centerpiece of my decoration.