Advent dinner!

I took my own advice and hosted an Advent dinner last Saturday night. It was extra special: I actually had my friends help me decorate my tree (with seven people, that doesn't take long!) and we lit the Advent candles. I also found a couple of lovely prayers, one for blessing the tree and one simply for welcoming Advent. Then we had a delicious pot roast dinner and talked all night. It was so nice!

What I loved about that evening was how simple it was, but also how centered it was around celebrating the Advent celebration, which elevated the whole evening and gave it real meaning. I had two of my friends read the prayers out loud for everyone at the beginning of the evening, and it set a tone for the rest of the night. I am grateful for the fact that I have friends and people I can do this sort of meaningful stuff with - it's much more fun (and powerful) to pray with others. And it makes me feel grounded.

The prayers came from the December Give Us This Day, which I am reading daily as part of my Advent journey. I do find that it, and the other little things I am doing (like the Pray More Novenas retreat) are genuinely helping me to stay focused and look inward. There is definitely a change in my daily outlook - more hopeful, maybe? Peaceful?

How is your Advent going?

I made it on the radio!

Guys, really exciting stuff. My segment with Relevant Radio's Morning Air program was a smashing success, not to mention WAY FUN, and my original Advent article, which started this whole thing, now has 344 shares on Facebook (and counting). Hot dog!!

Here's the link. My portion runs from about 44:41 to 51:47:

http://relevantradio.streamguys.us/MA%20Archive/MA20161128a.mp3

As my portion ended and Cyrus, the producer, came back on the line, he said, "You rock!" and I said, "That was so fun! And I want to come back on!" We have promised to keep in touch, so - you may just yet hear me again on the golden airwaves!

I hope everyone's Advent is off to a wonderful start!

Listen to me on the radio!

I have a very exciting update: 

A producer at Relevant Radio saw my recently-published article, "5 Ways to Make the Most of Advent" and invited me to speak on the Morning Air program this coming Monday (11/28) at 7:45 AM eastern time! We'll be talking about the grace and traditions of this beautiful time of year.

You can listen live here: https://relevantradio.com/stream/

You can learn more about Relevant Radio and the program here and read all my articles for Catholic Stand here. I am VERY excited for this, and can't wait to have a conversation about this special time of year with a community of fellow Catholics. 

What else is going on? Well, as mentioned in my article, Advent is just around the corner! It is my favorite liturgical season. I receive Bishop Robert Barron's daily Gospel reflection and was struck this morning by this phrase: "During any of these processes [like Advent], the very worst thing one could do would be to pick at it, to force it, to make it operate according to his private timetable. So Jesus calls us to “be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength…to stand before the Son of Man.” Advent, then is an opportunity to strengthen ourselves to "stand before the Son of Man." Through prayer, good works, introspection and - most of all - demonstrating love. Both the smallest and the largest demonstrations of love are equally important to God, so whatever you have, and whatever you can do - even if it feels too small to count - matters. And that's a beautiful thing!

A couple other things: this weekend I am going to the St. Thomas More exhibit at the John Paul II Shrine. There they will show the movie "A Man for All Seasons," followed by discussion. I don't know much about St. Thomas More, other than what I read a while ago in a Matthew Kelly book; he emphasized More's willingness to stand up for what he believed in (and which resulted in his martyrdom). That is a sort of moral courage that is especially tough these days. Also, I just like any excuse to visit the JP II shrine.

And lastly: I plan on doing the Pray More Novenas Retreat, which is perfect because a.) it'll have great content and b.) you don't even have to leave your house (nay, nor your computer) to do it. There is technically also no cost, though a donation is encouraged. I just love this ministry because it is so simple and to the point, and a retreat is bound to be the same. Go support John-Paul and Annie!

Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving and an excellent start to the Advent and Christmas season.