The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are waiting for Christmas with joy.
Father Mark-Mary wants all his viewers to be filled with devout and expectant delight this Advent, as we wait in joy for the coming of Christ on Christmas.
We may not be able to have the innocent enthusiasm of children, but we can look forward to Christmas in two ways.
First, we can look forward to Christmas like a farmer waits for a harvest. We work towards something that we can’t see, like a plant putting down roots, but with patience and in hope we look forward to its coming.
Second, we can look at Advent like Mary did. She felt the presence of Jesus more than anyone, but was able to experience him in a new way at his birth. She too waited for this experience with patience, knowing that he would come in his own time.
For more videos on how Mary celebrated Advent, check out the Rejoice! Advent Meditations with Mary video series towards the bottom of this page.
Fr. Mark-Mary ensures us that if our hope is in Christ, then it is not in vain. We may not see the effects of our toil at the moment, but if we persevere in faith the reason for our hope will become apparent.
Quoting James 5:7, Father Mark-Mary says:
“Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and the late rain.”
Learn more about the CFRs here.
Fr. Mark-Mary mentions the merchandise for Br. Isaiah’s album, Poco a Poco. Check it out here.
