Los Angeles, Calif., Nov 30, 2017 / 15:00 pm
In preparation for the first Sunday of Advent, the Archbishop of Los Angeles has said the season is a time to spiritually "stay woke," shaking off apathy and becoming more aware of God's presence.
"My prayer for us this year is that we will make this Advent a spiritual adventure of living with a new awareness of the presence of God," said Archbishop José Gomez in a Nov. 28 column.
"Advent is the time for us to wake from our sleep! When we are 'awake' to who God is, then we are 'awake' to who we are – and how precious every life is."
The archbishop explained that Advent is a time of waiting for the coming of Christ at Christmas, but it is also an opportunity for God to draw closer to his people in relationship, noting this desire of God to be close to creation is a unique aspect of Christianity.