Today, we began our first Advent as a married couple. Recently, we bought an Advent wreath from a clay artist who has a booth at the Austin Famer’s Market and purchased small votive candles and glass from a local Catholic shop in Austin.

With the Thanksgiving weekend, I had already opted to take today off from work, so I was only at the 11:30 am Mass, that Vanessa and I usually attend. After Mass, we had stumbled upon tickets to the UT Men’s Basketball game versus Rice; we’re not planning on that to be part of our Advent tradition.

After the game, we went home. Using the form of Blessing of the Advent Wreath found in the Book of Blessings, we blessed our wreath. After a quick errand, we returned to the Advent Wreath and prayed Evening Prayer.

Our desire is to pray Evening Prayer together each night during, at least, Advent. I’d like to see the practice continue year-round, but we’ll see if it is fruitful for us.

We hope this time of preparation for Christmas is a prayerful one and full of blessings.