As we hear in today’s scripture readings, Advent means some serious business. Transitioning weapons of war into life-giving agricultural implements? Waking up in the darkness when we’d rather fall back to sleep? Being ready to face that last judgment before the eyes of Christ who knows the depths of our hearts—what we’ve done and what we’ve failed to do? No way around it, preparing for the Lord’s coming will be hard work. Much harder than stringing lights or sending cards. These four Advent weeks—and this year with Christmas on a Sunday gives us the longest possible Advent—offer us opportunity after opportunity to take on that serious business. For starters: Why not come to Mass a little more often? Listen to the beautiful scriptures that promise us a Savior. Why not join us for Evening Prayer Sundays at 4:30 p.m. at St. Boniface? Enter into the quiet of these late autumn and early winter nights with song and psalms. Why not make the time for confession? Monday evenings at St. Boniface 5:30 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 3 at St. Lawrence 9 to 9:30 a.m.; Penance services at Immaculate Conception (Sunday, December 4 at 2 p.m.), St. Joseph the Worker (Wednesday, December 14 at 7 p.m.) and Resurrection (Wednesday, December 21 at 7 p.m.).