By Mary Sayad

TIME

Tic, tock
Time won't stop

Decorate indoors
Decorate outdoors

Bake, bake
Cookies and cake

Celebrations on the venue
Plan delicious menue

Grandmas and Grandpas
Aunts and Uncles
Sisters and Brothers
Dads and Mothers

Hurry, hurry
Spend more money

Shop, shop
Until you drop

Kids can't wait
For that special date!

But.......
Did we forget
About Advent?

Beloved Friends,

Our lives are governed by time. We're clock watchers. From getting to work or school on time, to catching our transportation, driving the children to school, grocery shopping in between picking up the children from school, keeping scheduled meetings or appointments, etc. The list is endless.

The Christmas season with all its activities and family commitments adds to our already crowded schedules. We've been conditioned to gage our time. We're clock watchers. You will find wrist watches for sale in just about every grocery store and pharmacy besides specialty stores.

How is "time" relevent to Advent?

Advent is defined as arrival or coming. It is the season which precedes Christmas. It begins between the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Christmas. Advent is the season of hope in expectation of our saviour's birth. How many of us take the time to spiritually prepare for Jesus' birth?

We may renew our committment to Jesus and Mary by opening our hearts and minds to the presence and love of God. We share our Christianity with everyone when we allow the light of Jesus' coming to shine on everyone we meet through our patience, humility and inner peace.

II Corinthians 5:17 - "This means that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old order has passed away; now all is new!"

Let the mysteries of the grace of God renew our hearts and spirits in this joyful season.. Be thankful for all your blessings. Gratitude inspires inner peace.

Thank you for your continued prayers for world peace and for the safety of our troops.

Your companion in prayer,
Mary