(Source from “The Word Among Us”)

Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord! (Isaiah 2:5)

Welcome to Advent! All of us here at The Word Among Us pray that you will be deeply blessed during this season as you prepare for the coming of Christ. And what better way to begin this season than with the invitation in today’s first reading: “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” (Isaiah 2:5).

At Mass today, the first candle on the Advent wreath will be lit. Then, for the next three Sundays, the light coming from that wreath will grow stronger as one more candle is lit. And that’s how Advent is supposed to be for us spiritually: four whole weeks of coming more and more deeply into the light of Christ. There are lots of ways you can let that light grow stronger in you as Christmas approaches.

• Bring yourself to the light through daily prayer. Spending just a few minutes a day in Jesus’ presence can open your heart to the warmth of his love. You can even use this magazine to help you.
• Enlighten your heart and mind through spiritual reading or a Bible study. Let Jesus “instruct [you] in his ways” so that you can “walk in his paths” (Isaiah 2:3).
• Ask the Lord to shine a light on those parts of your life where you are content to live in the shadows. Then, take those areas to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and do as St. Paul says: turn from darkness and “put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:12).
• Spread the light of Christ by joining other believers to serve those in need. Provide them with meals or Christmas gifts. Bring supplies to a homeless shelter. Pray for them.

We don’t have to walk in darkness! Every time you turn to the Lord in these ways, his light in you becomes brighter and shines out more clearly. So let the Advent wreath remind you that Jesus, the light of the world, can overcome all darkness.

Come and walk in the light of the Lord!

“Lord, let your light in me grow throughout Advent!”