Gearing up

The fourth Sunday of Advent is usually the day when we have our children's crib service. The children are invited to come dressed as a shepherd, an angel or a king. The catechists organise the children on the spot (no rehearsals) to come on at various points, to sing carols and to read from the scriptures. We look out during Autumn for a soon-to-be-born baby and this year, Joshua was the baby Jesus, after being baptised earlier in the day.

Some of our fine young students are home from university and can help out with things. We should have a good crew of servers for our various Masses and the choir are in very good voice. We also have a girls' choir for the early Mass, with some quite young children helped out by some very good young people.

At the Missa Cantata this morning, Ryan was MC for the first time. At ten years of age, this is no mean feat.

I have been treated to lots of very good meals and some people have reminded me of my own advice to find hidden ways to do some penance during Advent as well as finding small acts of charity that can help to keep the spirit of the penitential season in the midst of so many celebrations.

A couple of quiet days now in which I must get the booklet and carol sheets printed for the Christmas Masses. I am blessed with many good people who put in a lot of work to help get everything ready. One family even took home the crib figures to touch up the paintwork where they have been chipped here and there. The ox has also had its horn repaired.

Today I spoke especially about the prayer of adoration which is at the heart of our worship, and the reverence and holy fear, mingled with trust in the infinite love of God who humbled himself to be born among us.

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