Faith is a decision to believe, and doubt can often play a role in the growth and the development of our faith

It is this grace of repentance that allows those divine gifts offered to Isaiah’s promised king to also take root in each of us

This is the time we've been given and we are expected to do something with it!

In Mary’s Child, the promises, hopes, and expectations of God’s Chosen People were finally being fulfilled

We rejoice because God has kept his promises through the ages and has given us love, mercy, and truth in Jesus

It is only by entering into Advent stillness and quiet that we can discern the distant voice of the Coming One who brings the mercy and peace

We spend these days looking toward the future, to the second Advent of Christ, when he will return in glory

We are being asked to trust that God has kept—and continues to keep—the promises made to our spiritual ancestors so many centuries ago.

We rejoice because God has kept his promises and has given us love and truth in Jesus.

God comes to us in the people and simple things of our lives, and this is all part of the recreation of the world that is an essential part of the promise of Advent.

As we continue our Advent watching, pray for the gifts of courage and perseverance.

“Am I not your mother? Are you not under the protection of my mantle?”

Even as the desert wastes become fertile and full of flowers, those suffering from illness and physical limitations will receive healing and wholeness.

John calls his desert-followers—and each of us—to Advent honesty and vulnerability. In his clarion call, Advent hope and the hard work of conversion come together.

At its best, our devotion to the Mother of God celebrates the part Mary played in the decisive moments of salvation history.

God’s disciples need to have firmly anchored in their souls the remembrance of their Master, Jesus Christ, and to think of him day and night.

The liturgy today reminds us that, in the fullness of time, we too will enjoy the abundance of God’s table.

The One for who's coming we continue to watch and wait for is the One who will bring about the full restoration and unity of creation.

Jesus uses their exchange as an opportunity to highlight the truth that, in the fullness of the Reign of God, all peoples—Jews and Gentiles—will have a place at God’s table.

While we look forward to celebrating the Incarnation at Christmas, we also spend these days looking toward the future, to the second Advent of Christ, when he will return in glory and the promises made to the prophets will be fulfilled.