There have
been seven deaths and 98 injuries across the country during Black Friday
shopping between 2006 and 2014. This
year Black Friday violence also struck in England, where a police officer in
Leeds was attacked Friday morning. You would think that the English
would know better!
There are different ways to prepare for Christmas – Church
invites us to consider another way!
Advent - Adventus – “coming” who is Coming? - Christ
3 Comings
in Bethlehem – history
each day – mystery
end of time – majesty
1) Came
in History
Emperor Hadrian very famous for building 126 AD the Pantheon
in Rome– also in 135 built a Temple in Bethlehem = on spot where early
Christians built a shrine marking the spot of the birth of Christ! He marked
the spot forever! – Constantine 327 built Church of Nativity- present church 6th
century oldest surviving church in Holy
Land
Used to have huge door – made small because people would ride
horses in - have to bow. Then you go down steps – see the
marking on floor – and there you are!
Believe that Messiah was born here - Word Became Flesh! changed the history of
the human race – why we celebrate Christmas -
Mass of Christ
2) Comes
in Mystery
Tragedy of first Christmas – so few recognized what
happened.
Even today – so few recognize that Jesus is STILL with us.
1)
Word - 2) Sacrament: Eucharist, words of
forgiveness, pouring with water, anointing with oil, exchange of vows - 3)
Community (Church) 2 or 3 4) distressing
disguise of the poor. Pay
attention to the Presence of Christ
3) Will
Come In Majesty
“As we await the Blessed hope and the coming of our savior,
Jesus Christ”
When will He come? – we don’t know, stopped trying to figure
that out a long time ago.
But – he will
come -
be ready
“Sub specie aeternitatis”
“View everything under the aspect of eternity”
-
is this action going to help me get to heaven, or is it
going to hurt my chances?
-
How will this appear on the day of judgment?
-
Good time for Sacrament of Penance!
History – Mystery – Majesty
- The 3 comings of
Christ.
There are many ways to prepare for Christmas. The Church
offers us a special way! Let us use
this Advent well - to prepare for the
Coming of the Lord!
