Advent is my favorite liturgical season, because of the promise it holds of Christmas. It's a season of watchful, contemplative waiting. 

At church Sunday in my "adopted" Chicago parish, Old. St. Patrick's, the church recited an Advent prayer written by the Bob Kolatorowicz of the church staff. It gets at the beauty of Advent when you can break out of old patterns and wait for the new.

Here's an excerpt:

He pretty much disappears from the story after Mary speaks her fiat. But the angel of Annunciation has not returned to heaven. That very special assignment two thousand years ago? It was only the beginning.

The Angel of Annunication has proposals for you and he's praying you'll say yes.

When you are weary and play the cynic, he prays "Say yes to surprise."

When your grip tightens on your purse, he prays: "Say yes to generosity."

When you are anxious and troubled, he prays: "Say yes to a silent, holy night."

(S-R file photo)

When you don't know where you should be, he prays: "Say yes to where your dreams are calling you."

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