From Catholic Charities USA ... " Advent and Christmas Daily Reflections"

First Sunday of Advent

It is the hour now to awake from your sleep, says Paul to the Romans. Stay awake, exhorts Matthew. God surely does not wish us to stumble through life, half-asleep. And yet, in the darkest weeks of the year, as we spend more time in our homes, it is surely a temptation to move toward the comfort of a warm bed. At least it is for me.

God’s repeated message in today’s scripture of “awakening” prods me from my natural inclination to hunker down in the cold dark. But to what shall I wake? To what shall I give my attention? Matthew warns us that we don’t know when God will come into the world, so we should be alert to God coming to us unexpectedly ...

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The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same. Catholic Charities is a network of charities with headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. The organization serves millions of people a year, regardless of their religious, social, or economic backgrounds.