It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The advent of, um, Advent, heralds a new beginning. The new liturgical year gets underway, and we prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus, all right before the beginning of the new calendar year on January 1st. It’s a happy time and an excellent opportunity for anyone who has been away from Mass to return. Instead of just attending Christmas Mass, Advent offers the chance to make going weekly a habit again. Think of it as a slightly early New Year’s resolution.

1. It’s the best time of the year.

Although Easter has the special joy of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, Advent is the time when many of us have our warmest memories of going to Mass. Who can hear “O Come O Come Emmanuel” without feeling the anticipation of Christmas? Many churches have their creche displayed – without the baby Jesus, of course, until Midnight Mass — and everything about Mass this time of year has a  feeling of great anticipation attached to it. Even society at large is counting down the days until Christmas and visiting your parish to prepare for the upcoming birth of Jesus adds joy to the season.

2. (Re-)Start at the beginning

 As the start of the liturgical year, the readings at Mass for Advent remind us of familiar stories, but more importantly, give us a chance to revisit basic precepts of our faith. Advent is when we ready ourselves for the arrival of our Savior in our lives and going back to the beginning of His journey on earth is a great place to start.

3. Pick a Mass that work for you.

Masses are celebrated in a variety of ways: with music and without; with folk music, or a more traditional organ and a chorus. The right Mass feels like home, and it should. Find the one that’s most amenable to you.

In the same way, choose a Mass time that’s convenient for you. Early birds can attend morning Masses; some prefer Saturday evening; others may prefer to sleep in on Sunday, so a late morning or even early afternoon Mass will be easiest to attend. There are many options available.

4. You are always welcome

Many are fearful of returning to Mass after having been away for some time. We’ve all heard the excuses…”I’d be struck by lightning if I went into a Church” or “The roof will cave in.” Rest assured, the building will not collapse upon the entrance of you or anyone else who has been away from Mass for a while. In fact, no one will notice that you haven’t been around lately — and if they do, they’ll be pleased to see that you’re back.

Similarly, no one will notice who does and does not receive communion. Numerous people choose not to receive communion during a given Mass or period of time. St. Paul of the Cross called Holy Communion the “most efficacious means of uniting one’s self to God.” People who have been willingly away from Mass are not ready to receive communion upon returning without first seeking the Sacrament of Reconciliation. None of that means that someone cannot return to Mass, participate in every other way, and enjoy the sense of community and worship that it brings. Reconciliation Monday falls on December 19, offering a perfect opportunity to participate in the sacrament during the Advent season.

5. Share the Mass with family or friends

The unity that we find in sharing our faith can be a source of joy. When we miss Mass, we not only lose out on a closer connection with God, but also with family members, friends, and neighbors who may attend the same parish. While God will always be there for us, use this occasion to reach out to those close to us and go to Mass together. It makes the Mass even more meaningful as a shared experience.

To find a Catholic parish near you, use the Archdiocese of New York’s Parish Finder