HOME BLOG EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP PREPARING THE MANGER Everyday Stewardship PREPARING THE MANGER November 26, 2021 • Tracy Earl Welliver Where do you fall in the “Christmas-songs-in-November” debate — do you like them, tolerate them, or outright hate them? There’s no theological problem with Christmas songs in November outside of worship, even if it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But there is a problem with getting so caught up in the baggage of the season — the trimmings, the gifts, the celebrations, all of which are marvelous in their own way — that you forget to prepare the manger. Every good Catholic knows that Lent is a penitential season. It’s hard to miss that point — Lent doesn’t even have any fun songs you can groove to on the radio. We are pretty good at recognizing that Lent calls us to examine ourselves. To deny ourselves. To give of ourselves. And most of all, Lent calls us to prepare, as a good steward does, for the return of our master. It’s harder for us to remember that with Advent, but Advent is just as much of an opportunity for penance, preparation, and reconciliation to God — and just as much reason, too. The very name of the season — “advent” — encourages us to focus on what is coming, not what is already here. Be on guard, the readings tell us today, “so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and (the coming of the Lord) catch you unexpectedly, like a trap.” So let us not forget — our master’s advent is upon us. And let us ask ourselves: how can we prepare the manger? — Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS 0 Article Rating SHARE TWEET PIN Subscribe Sign in with 3000 {} [+] 0 COMMENTS CATEGORIES Catholic Tech Talk Connect! Sunday Reflection Everyday Stewardship LPi News Vibrant Parish Toolkit BUILD YOUR VIBRANT PARISH SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAILS RECENT POSTS Hear the Voice of the Lord November 26, 2021 For Sunday, December 5, 2021 2nd Sunday of Advent Baruch 5:1-9 Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 Luke 3:1-6 We live in an age Keep Reading... The Best Devotional Apps You NEED on Your Phone November 25, 2021 It’s no secret that spiritual reflections and prayer meditation guides have been around for eons and aren’t going anywhere. Keep Reading... Long Live the King November 19, 2021 Did you know that you can become royalty, for the right price? It’s true — for the low, low cost of $50, you, too, can Keep Reading... Ways to Welcome your Community Back to (In-person) Mass November 18, 2021 It’s been nearly two years since dioceses throughout the United States suspended the public celebration of Masses. Even Keep Reading... Giving Until it Hurts November 12, 2021 In the time of Christ, sacrifice was nothing new to the Jewish people. The Israelites were experts at sacrifice. So, after Keep Reading... CONTACT US Corporate Office 2875 S. James Dr. New Berlin, WI 53151 P: (800) 950-9952 SUBSCRIBE TO EMAILS FREE CATHOLIC CLIP ART Beautiful Catholic art to evangelize a new generation of disciples throughout your newsletter, website, bulletin, social media, and more. DOWNLOAD MORE FREE ART SIGN UP FOR A PRODUCT DEMO WED., DEC 1, 2021 10:00 A.M. CT ❯ Church Websites & Apps with WeConnect 0 0 votes Article Rating WED., DEC 8, 2021 10:00 A.M. CT ❯ Church Websites & Apps with WeConnect 0 0 votes Article Rating WED., DEC 15, 2021 10:00 A.M. CT ❯ Church Websites & Apps with WeConnect 0 0 votes Article Rating SEE ALL PRODUCT DEMOS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING? Customer Support Manage Your Ad WeCreate Support Print Support Remote Customer Assistance LPi Express © 2021 LPi • Privacy Policy • Terms of Use • Advertising Policy We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok