Wisdom Satu: Saint of the Day - 2013 Advent

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Saint of the Day - 2013 Advent - A Message From Friar Dan

Sunday, December 1, 2013

An Advent Message from Fr. Dan

Advent begins Sunday, December 1.

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel." (Is 7:14)

In Advent with the Saints , Fr. Greg Friedman, O.F.M., suggests this: "Find your favorite Advent passage from Isaiah. Then read aloud the passage to hear its poetry." Truly there are no more beautiful references to the coming of the Messiah than those of Isaiah the prophet, who is sometimes called "The Poet of Advent."

New this year for the season is Sister Wendy on the Art of Christmas by art historian Sister Wendy Beckett, known to television viewers around the world. She describes Advent this way: "Humankind was waiting for a Savior. It was an open-ended wait, with no time limit. We, who relive this longing each year in the four short weeks of the Advent season, have the privilege of knowing precisely when the wait will end and the coming (the advent) become manifest."

For family reading during Advent, we suggest Bambinelli Sunday by Amy Welborn. In the beautifully illustrated children's book, young Alessandro learns about sharing, comfort, generosity, and forgiveness. The story centers on events leading up to Bambinelli Sunday, an Italian tradition during Advent.

As a Catholic publisher, we develop the many aspects of Advent in our magazine, newsletters and websites, and on American Catholic Radio. Our media ministries serve as personal and parish resources for this holy season. Our mission is to spread the Gospel and to help all people to live a fuller spiritual and human life. However, the costs of maintaining our media outreach are ongoing and increasing.

As we prepare to celebrate the coming of the Lord in our midst, would you consider sending $50, $75, or $100? Your tax-deductible donation in any amount helps pay the costs of all our publishing outreaches, including this e-newsletter.

Use our secure online donation form or mail a donation payable to the Franciscans, Franciscan Media, 28 W. Liberty St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. If you prefer, you may phone in a credit-card donation for our evangelization ministries at 513-241-5615 or, in the U.S., 800-488-0488.

Peace and every blessing,
Fr. Dan Kroger, O.F.M.
Publisher, Franciscan Media