The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Preparation

Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher-Owner

8 December 2004

Before anything wonderful can come together, there most be significant time allowed for preparation..... thus we have the four weeks of Advent before Christmas.

Advent always contains four Sundays, beginning on the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, (November 30) and continuing until December 24. Its focus is on the joyful theme of getting ready for the Bethlehem event.

Since the 900s Advent has been considered the beginning of the Church year.

The trick for us is to use our time wisely and for the purpose intended.

I find when I allow a lot of distractions into my day, I am not as prepared for my deadlines each week.

For instance, searching the web for information at deadline can be dangerous since there are so many interesting things out in cyberspace. You can end up spending minutes you don't have reading about things you don't need.

The same thing can happen as we approach Christmas. We can allow distractions that will take away from what's really important. For instance, watching television rather than preparing in the proper way for this significant Holy Day.

The Oxford Dictionary, explains the meaning and origin of holiday:

Holiday: day of festivity or recreation, when no work is done. *Origin - Holy Day

If we make good use of our time during Advent we and our families will be adequately prepared.

Some light a candle each Sunday placed around an Advent wreath and read scripture and sing appropriate songs. Another idea is the nativity scene where children place in the manger one piece of straw for each good deed done that day by a family member. The baby Jesus is lain in the manger on Christmas morning and the Christmas story is told. Whatever you do to prepare, remember it is the Christ we celebrate at Christmas.