Advent: Preparing for Christ, Cycle A

The four weeks leading up to Christmas mark the beginning of the Western Church’s liturgical year. The Church stresses that Advent is a time of reflection, meditation, and preparation. This study will follow the Catholic Scripture Study format but will concentrate on the Sunday lectionary readings and incorporate the ancient method of Lectio Divina (praying the Scriptures). To prepare, each participant will read the Sunday readings along with the “Points to Ponder” commentary, answer the study questions, and “pray the Scriptures.” During Advent, we should be focused on preparing ourselves for the coming of Christ. Are we ready for the King? Are our hearts ready to receive our Savior? This study is used for the lectionary readings of Cycle A (2016, 2019, 2022 etc.).