We must always remember that the waiting that we are called to during Advent is an active waiting, a season of raising up valleys, lowering mountains, and making straight a highway for the Lord (see Is 40:3-4). Many people will choose to prepare a path for God this Advent by committing or recommitting to a practice of prayer. As with any meaningful preparation, consider some fundamental principles: Real preparation takes time, and if we are to make a significant impact, we have to commit to give that time. In the case of prayer, we are more likely to develop a true habit of prayer if we set aside a dedicated prayer period and stick to it. Also, as we prepare the house to welcome a special guest, we will undoubtedly unearth old treasures to put out for the sake of making our guest feel at home. In our life of prayer, Advent can be a time for renewing old practices which we have found helpful, but unwittingly let “gather dust” for some time. We may also find in our preparation for the anticipated guest that some prayer “fixtures” have outlived their purpose and need to be cleared out in favor of something new. On December 9 at 6:30 pm, the MMOC Contemplative Core Team will present An Advent Meditation on Effective Ways to Prepare for Christ’s Coming with Deacon Bob Smerek, as we consider how to prepare our inner rooms for the Christmas season. We hope you’ll join us!