The season of Advent begins today. The scripture readings at Mass were all about waiting – but waiting in anticipation and awareness. Here are some of the verses that stood out to me:

“…it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand.”

“…stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”

During Advent, I can find myself very busy with preparations, shopping, cooking, visiting, etc. I appreciate the reminders during this season to slow down and focus on God. After all, Christmas is the celebration of His coming to our earth, into our lives, to show us that there is more than what this life and time has to offer. When I can look around me with an eternal perspective, everything changes. I am reminded that I will not be here forever, nor will those around me. I think about how to spend the time that I have here. As I look back over my past year, I am grateful to have made a couple of trips and visited people who mean so much to me. I have also been blessed to stop at some amazing churches with the guidance of the book, “Monuments, Marvels, and Miracles, A Traveler’s Guide to Catholic America,” by Marion Amberg. The beauty and uniqueness of each site to me was comparable to humanity. Each location was constructed with love for God and a desire to prompt others to see Him through the extraordinary creation. So it is with us. God created each of us from His love. We are each a non-repeatable individual. We have the capability to show others God through our actions – through who we are. I thought during this Advent, I would share some photos that I took at the different locations. I hope that as you look at them, there will be something that strikes you, that may bring you closer to God. And I hope you remember what a unique, loved individual you are. Stay aware and awake! God is coming and is already here!

This week I will share photos from Our Lady of Champions Shrine in Champion, WI.

I Found God today ready to begin the Advent Season.