ings for each of the Sundays of the Ad-
vent season. It was during this period that
Churches in the West began to view Ad-
vent not merely as a time to celebrate the
birth of Jesus but also as a time to prepare
for His Second Coming. While many schol-
ars believe that Pope St. Gregory I was
responsible for shortening Advent from
a 6�week to a 4�week liturgical prepara-
tion, others believe that Pope St. Greg-
ory VII (1095) should receive this honor.
reflect upon the amazing gift that God
has given to us through his Son, Jesus
Christ, and to remember the promises
that He has made regarding Jesus' Sec-
ond Coming. Advent celebrates the birth
of Jesus, who is Emmanuel--God with
us. Inherent within the celebration is a
recognition that God resides within each
and every one of His children through
the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Advent
therefore celebrates three "comings" of
Christ. Advents recognizes the past com-
ing of Christ through his birth, the present
coming of Christ through the gift and in-
dwelling of the Holy Spirit and the future
coming of Christ in majesty and power.
example of Christian love set by Je-
sus who healed the sick, fed the poor,
mended the broken hearted and saved
the lost. As we prepare to celebrate
the coming of Christ, how wonderful
it would be to honor the life and mis-
sion of Christ. Despite all of the hustle
and bustle leading up to Christmas, Ad-
vent is a wonderful time to visit some-
one who is sick, to call someone who is
lonely and to help feed someone who is
hungry. This is the way for Christians
worldwide to help prepare for the "com-
ing" of Christ; past, present and future.