This is the first in a five-part Advent series in which the bishop focuses on forgiveness.

With Christ the King Sunday, the current liturgical year draws closer to its end, and we prepare to usher in a new year with the beginning of Advent. Before reflecting on Advent, let me say that in recent days I have been grateful and thankful for many recent and rich encounters with you, the faith-filled people of our diocese.

From the Hispanic Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, attended by over 1,200 on Nov. 13, and the Mass for Regnum Christi youth and families in Ashburn this past weekend, to this week’s Thanksgiving meal with the homeless at our Catholic Charities’ Christ House, I am continually encouraged by the witness of our youth, families and many other members of the diocese.

Another season of Advent is upon us. I ask you to pause and reflect with me for a few moments on how this season of expectancy, of awaiting and watching for Christ’s Coming into our lives, might not be merely "another" Christmas which passes by in the blink of an eye, but one marked, I suggest, by three "attitudes of the heart."

Let us first of all build some "expectancy" into our days. What do I mean by this? The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells that our liturgies in Advent make present the "ancient expectancy of the Messiah" and renew our "ardent desire for his second coming" (524). This Advent could be different for us if we take at least a few minutes each day to pray and turn our hearts to Christ’s coming this Christmas. Whether it means this additional time or going to Mass sometime besides Sunday, a new experience of Advent and Christmas could be ours this year.

Secondly, let us prepare our hearts for Advent by contemplating the Eucharist anew. We need to ask ourselves honestly at the outset of this Year of the Eucharist, "Am I bringing the Real Presence of Christ into my daily life?" We are "fed" and "enlightened" by our participation in the Eucharist, so is it leading us to a "love for our neighbor, to a love for every human being" (Dominicae Cenae 6)? Can others see the effect of the Eucharist in our love for them, our assistance to the poor, our concern for the most vulnerable in our midst, and the countless ways in which we interact with our neighbors each day?

I have encouraged those who lead our parishes and ministries to make Eucharistic Adoration and regular celebration of the Eucharist even more the very fabric of our lives, and it is happening all around us. To name but two examples, first, our Cathedral of St. Thomas More has begun a weekly Thursday evening holy hour and catechesis. Second, "Get Real — the Real Presence" is the central theme which our diocesan youth ministry office has asked our thousands of youth to consider throughout this coming year.

Finally, I ask you — and I will focus more on this in the coming weeks — to incorporate an attitude of forgiveness this Advent. A heart prepared for Advent is a heart that knows forgiveness. With the powerful example of the Good Thief fresh in our minds from St. Luke’s Gospel proclaimed this past Christ the King Sunday, let us both approach the sacrament of forgiveness this Advent as well as make a conscious effort to forgive those who have wronged us. If we do this, St. John the Baptist’s words will become more and more our own: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (Jn 3:30).

May this not be just "another" Advent, but one marked by a different attitude of the heart. I pray that the infinite immensity of God’s love revealed by His Infant Son born for us on Christmas will overwhelm our lives with grace this Advent. Let us focus and train our hearts by cultivating an attitude of expectancy, of reverence for the Eucharist and its connections to our daily lives, and of forgiveness. Come, Lord Jesus! Come!