Advent, St. Andrew, and Alternate Realities

We humbly entreat Thy majesty, O Lord: that as the blessed Apostle Andrew was once a teacher and ruler of Thy Church: so he may be a constant advocate for us before Thee. (Collect, Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle)

 

(statue of St. Andrew made by Josiah)

Today is the feast of St. Andrew, and the day to start praying the St. Andrew Christmas novena prayer. This prayer is traditionally said fifteen times a day from November 30 to Christmas.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment
In which the Son of God was born
of the most pure Virgin Mary,
at midnight,
in Bethlehem,
in piercing cold.
In that hour vouchsafe, O my God!
to hear my prayer and grant my desires,
through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ,
and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

We've gotten out my little purple prayer cards. You can read more about them in this old post - Simply Advent.

Our single star is shining in the darkness.

We have started our simple but lovely evening Advent prayer time. We light our Advent wreath candle. We read our Scripture passage of the day and put our ornament on our Jesse tree. We sing O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Creator Alme Siderum, and finish up with Alma Redemptoris Mater.
 

We are slowly easing into this season of expectation.We have yet to change out the home altar and I am still working on a banner I am making. That's okay. We are in no rush in this season of waiting and preparing. As November draws to a close we still linger over the thoughts and images and prayers of the previous month. The purple and penance of Advent is not such a surprise because we have just assisted at so many requiems and offered sacrifices for the souls of the dearly departed. 

Our 'Black Friday' was apparent in the priest's vestments as he offered one of November's last votive Masses for the dead.

 

Our Advent began in the presence of Our Lord as our good bishop answered the call of the Holy Father and lead a cathedral full of people in prayer for the unborn. We prayed the rosary, sang vespers, and participated in Benediction.

 

We are used to quietly waiting and preparing for the good and holy things to come. We are not uncomfortable resisting the glitter and glitz and glare of the holly jolly world around us. We are happy to wait. And yet we do not harbor grudges against the revelers around us. As Father gently reminded us on Sunday, we do not need to beat anyone over the head with Advent Advent Advent as with a club. (!)

We take our time entering in. As Sunday's collect, Excita, implored the Lord to Stir up Thy power we take this time to stir up our own hearts and prepare them for the coming of the Savior. We are glad to do this.

For we wait in joyful hope.

Comments

[Martha in SD]

Kimberlee, absolutely beautiful sentiment. I couldn't agree more. Thank you for sharing that and your lovely family with us readers and fellow Catholics. I just love this season!
Blessed Advent

[Kristyn]

I wish I had the advantage you have of experience and cooperation in your home. I am still caught in the middle of relatives who feel I am "mean" because we don't have a tree up yet, and so on. One day it won't be such a big deal to everyone. On the other hand, there are those who think I am making "too big a deal" out of all this Advent stuff. I was told by one person in reaction to the purple on the altar, "Red and green are the Christmas colors. Your kids are going to figure that out." "But it's not Christmas yet!" was my original reply. ((sigh)) One year at a time. :)