Pray the STA Way – Advent Week 1
Daily Advent Reflections
Hope: Prophecy Candle (purple)
For the first week of Advent, we reflect on the prophets God has sent his people to tell of a coming Messiah and the hope they’ve instilled in us throughout the ages. Hope is trust firmly placed in God so that it extends into the unknown future. As we contemplate the flame of the first candle lit on our advent wreaths, may we pray for renewed and restrengthened trust in the Lord, placing in his eternally loving care all of our desires, hopes, and fears.
DAY ONE: Sunday 12/01/24
Video & Reflection: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
Scripture: “The People who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing; They rejoice before you as a people rejoice at harvest, as they exult when dividing the spoils… For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, upon David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.” Isaiah 9: 1-2, 5-6
Action: Begin your advent journey by blessing your Advent wreath and singing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”
DAY TWO: Monday 12/02/24
Video: MARANATHA! / Translation & History
Action / Prayer: Commit to praying the ancient Aramaic phrase “Maranatha!” throughout the entirety of Advent as an aspirational prayer, as something you pray repeatedly under your breath at various times during the day. In school, you will find this word written on scraps of paper posted in all the hallways to help support you in this prayerful habit.
Reflection Question: What can you do this Advent to prepare your heart and life for the coming of Christ?
DAY THREE: Tuesday 12/03/24
Video: Brandt Jean to Amber Guyger: ‘I forgive you’
Scripture: “In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: ‘The LORD our justice.’” Jeremiah 33:16
Reflection: In the heart-rending video posted above, we witness the loving witness of young man Brandt Jean, who, during the sentencing hearing for his brother’s murderer, takes the opportunity not to give her a piece of his mind, but rather shares with her a heart conformed to Christ, and offers her forgiveness. Is there someone in your life that Christ is calling you to forgive this Advent season? – if there is, pray to the Holy Spirit for the strength and the ability to do so.
DAY FOUR: Wednesday 12/04/24
Video: “What is Hope and Why Do You Need it?” – Fr. Mike Schmitz – Ascension Presents
Quote: “By his perennial presence in the life of the pilgrim Church, the Holy Spirit illumines all believers with the light of hope. He keeps that light burning, like an ever-burning lamp, to sustain and invigorate our lives.” – Pope Francis, Jubilee Bull of Indiction, no. 3
Reflection: Pope Francis has declared 2025 to be a Jubilee Year with the theme being “Pilgrims of Hope.” What are ways that God might be calling you to be a “pilgrim of hope” in your own community? How are you called to live out “lux in tenebris,” of bringing light to the darkness?
DAY FIVE: Thursday 12/05/24
Video: “The Miracle of Confession” – Fr. Mike Schmitz – Ascension Presents
Scripture: “Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:5-10
Blog: Hallow – “How to Go to Confession: The Sacrament of Penance / Reconciliation.”
Action: Make plans to receive the gift of God’s Mercy in the Sacrament of Penance during this Advent season.
DAY SIX: Friday 12/06/24 – Feast of St. Nicholas!
Video: “Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus? Catholic Ways to Celebrate!” The Religious Hippie
Prayer: Loving God, we thank you for the example of good St. Nicholas, who fed the hungry, brought hope to the imprisoned, gave comfort to the lost, and taught the truth to all. May we strive to imitate him by putting you first in all we do. Give us the courage, love and strength of St. Nicholas, so that, like him, we may serve you through loving our brothers and sisters. Amen.
Action: In honor of St. Nicholas’ feast day – commit to being a Santa Claus to others by enacting works of mercy for the poor and marginalized – feel free to follow examples given in the video for ideas!
DAY SEVEN: Saturday 12/07/24
Video: “Come, Lord Jesus” – Jesus Image – Jeremy Riddle
Reflection: St. Augustine famously opened his Confessions by declaring “You have made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in thee.” Do you relate to this quote as someone who has experienced restlessness in your heart? Do you connect that restlessness with a burning desire for union with God? What do you make of the passion and the yearning expressed in today’s video? How would your life change if your desire for God increased in your heart into a fiery passion?
Action: As a way of deepening your desire for God, choose something difficult to abstain from throughout the rest of Advent, and offer that desire you have for that thing to God, so that he may transfigure it into a deeper desire for Him.
Prayer: Lord, come and flood my soul with your light so that I may brighten the lives of those that live in darkness.