Welcome to our Holy Family Advent Reflections for 2023. We are so glad you have made the decision to join us on this journey. This year we will be using our imagination as we step into the biblical story leading up to the birth of Jesus, our Savior, using a contemplation method taught by St. Ignatius of Loyola. In his Spiritual Exercises, he invites us to step into the biblical passages and soak in the details, imagine selves there, feeling the emotions, experiencing the events, and allowing those stories that we have heard over and over to become real. 

So, we will walk with Zechariah and Elizabeth as they learn the startling news that they will finally have a son. We will spend time with Mary and Joseph as their world is turned upside down by the visit of an angel with incredible news. And we will experience the journey to Bethlehem and the birth of a baby on a cold night that changed the future of every human. 

As we spend time with these four people, who are a part of our family story, we will reflect on our role in this drama. Have we been listening for God’s voice and His message? Do we understand the part He is needing us to play in salvation history? This Advent, let us all become more aware of God’s call in our lives and how He needs us to help make Jesus incarnate in our world today, just as He did with Elizabeth, Zechariah, Joseph, and Mary. 

We are excited to go on this journey together. And since we are on this journey together, please know that we love hearing from you. If you ever want to respond or share your thoughts about any day's reflection, please feel free to send an email to [email protected]. 

Happy Advent! See you tomorrow. 

For the next three weeks, we will be following these Bible passages, if you'd like to begin reading and praying with them. 
Luke 1
Luke 2:1-20
Matthew 1:1-25