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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me not to be caught by surprise by Christmas, because I'm always thinking about you! Amen.

Jesus told a crowd, "The end of the world is going to catch you by surprise, just like the flood caught everyone but Noah, who had built his ark. If two people are working or making bread, one will be taken to heaven; the other will be left. So, be ready, because you don't know when the end of the world is coming."

Advent is starting. Are you getting ready for Christmas? For kids, it seems like it takes forever for Christmas to come, while adults groan that there's not enough time until the holidays, as if they're taken by surprise. You'd think they'd remember that Christmas comes at the same time every year!

Most grownups have a lot to do to before Christmas: choosing which Mass to go to; buying presents; planning get-togethers. For kids, Christmas usually means making presents for your family, writing a list for Santa and going along with whatever plans your parents make.

This week's Gospel (Matthew 24:37-44) is about getting ready, too. Just like Christmas seems to catch some adults by surprise, Jesus said the end of the world could take people by surprise, too.

People are caught by surprise when they're busy, putting their attention on other things. It's hard for a kid to be caught by surprise by Christmas, though, since you get focused on presents and fun things at school and church. You can't forget Christmas is almost here!

Jesus wanted people to pay attention to the fact that He's coming back someday, too. Even though it's not likely to happen for a long time, He didn't want people to forget about it. You could end up forgetting about God entirely, and Jesus wanted to be part of our lives every day.

Christmas is coming - a celebration of Jesus' coming into the world as a person. Whether you're an adult or a kid, this is a great time to remember He's coming back someday![[In-content Ad]]

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