Baking Christmas Joy

The Amigos de Jesus youth group gathered together on Friday, December 11 in the parish office at Annunciation for prayer, community, reflection, fun, and .... baking?

That's right. The youth spent the first hour of the evening rolling, kneading, sprinkling, pasting, icing, and baking Christmas cookies. The cookies will be used for the Posada celebration next Friday evening.

The youth had a good time working together on the project and, despite the flour tossing and dough dropping, managed to keep the mess in the parish center to a minimum.

The second part of the evening was spent in the adjoining Hope Room where Alejandra updated the youth on the many coming events of the next two weeks. In addition, to the Confirmation class and youth Mass the following evening, the youth group is being asked to help in preparing more Christmas cookies on Monday for the parish office, in addition to the Posada celebrations leading up to Christmas and the Amigos de Jesus Christmas dinner on Dec 23.

After the updating, the youth along with Br. Joseph played a very physical spin off on musical chairs. Although a few rear ends hit the ground, all had a good time and no one was any worse for the wear.

After the game, Br. Joseph read the Gospel for the third week of Advent and reflected on the need to examine our lives in preparation for meeting Christ this Christmas. Is there something Christ is asking me to do, to change, to grow into? Advent is a time of joyful preparation and anticipation; our we ready to meet our Savior? Brother and several of the youth reflected on how the Gospel applied to situations in their own lives.

Thanks to everyone who participated in making this such a fun and meaningful youth gathering.

God's peace to each of you.

Br. Joseph