While the world is concerned with decorating, buying, and spreading holiday spirit, the Church focuses on the coming of Christ—here and now in our hearts, in history, and at the end of time. With different celebrations, devotions, decorations, music, and images coming from the Liturgy of the Word, we ponder upon the beauty, the meaning, and the invitation of the advent season. Even though we are in the midst of music, parties, lights, and plans for Christmas, being Bold, Catholic, and Holy, helps us to focus on the reason for the season. Christ, who came among us as one of us, will come again at the end of time. May the light of the Advent Wreath candles help to remind us that a light has come into the world that dispels the darkness and we are called to resemble that light.

St. Clare Christian Service Commission is once again sponsoring the Christmas Giving Tree Project. The gifts will provide Christmas cheer to the folks at St. Patrick’s Senior Center, St. Charles Adult Care Homes, Freedom House, and the Crisis Navigator Program run through the Catholic Charities of SE Michigan.