The Bible clearly tells us that the happily ever after we all long for is a marriage.

During Advent, traditional reflections remind us that our call to evangelize involves waiting and anticipation. As we move toward Christmas, we relive the long-expected coming of the Messiah by the Jewish people.

Surveys indicate that reading books is dropping precipitously across all age groups. This is a tragedy in itself; it’s also a social disaster, as a post-literate society risks becoming a post-rational society. All the more reason, then, to consider giving books for Christmas: books that entertain, inform, and open new horizons of understanding.

Catholics aren’t required to “give anything up” for Advent. And even while the practice of taking on an additional, personal Lenten penance is a well-established and praiseworthy custom, Catholics technically aren’t required to do anything extra for Lent beyond the usual fasting and abstinence from meat (see Canon 1251 of the Code of Canon Law).

I never would have thought those two things would happen on the same day.

The “Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World” is rich in tradition and yet boldly new in the way it presents that tradition to the world. It is a manifesto of love directed toward an ever more secularized world, a world that looks with skepticism at the church.

What do I choose to do with the time given me? Worry prevents me from using my precious time freely and constructively. Anxiety inhibits my boldness.

While we celebrate both John’s birth (on June 24) and death (Aug. 29), it is during Advent that the liturgy amplifies John’s role as the precursor of Christ. It is John who, as God’s instrument, tells the world to get ready, the Messiah is coming; it is John who will then single out the Messiah living in the midst of man.

My memories of the father who loved his family, lifted us up and lived his Catholic faith in word, thought and deed.

During this time of preparation for Christmas, Advent offers us a beautiful opportunity to grow in faith while we are waiting.