In this 13 minute podcast, Sonrise Morning Show host Anna Mitchell Interviews Dr. Italy on Advent as a season of Hope. What precisely is Scripture talking about when it tells us that hope is one of the most important things a Christian needs? And what does hope have to do with Advent?

For the past 500 years, devotion to Mary has been a bone of contention between Catholics and Protestants. But the meaning of the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 highlights some amazing common ground between these two groups. Would you believe that on this feast, Catholics actually honor Mary as the perfect example of the greatest Protestant virtue? To understand why true Marian devotion actually should bring us together, listen to this podcast.

The Gospel of Luke presents Mary, mother of Jesus, as the model of faith, showing us what faith must include to be authentic and effective. And imitating Mary's virtue is key to an authentic Marian devotion and an adequate understanding of the deepest meaning of the Immaculate Conception -- that it's all about grace.

In this 14 minute podcast, Dr. Italy shares some insights into our predicament - we tend to be lulled to sleep spiritually through the constant motion of modern life. This is especially true in Advent, which is perhaps the busiest time of the year due to how our society prepares for Christmas. Yet the Lord calls us in Advent to wake up to his presence and to move aside the obstacles that block his path into our lives. Pride is the chief obstacle, followed by the noise that makes it impossible to hear the still, small voice of the Lord. The mountains of pride and distractions needs to be made low.

The Season of Advent provides us a rich selection of Scriptures from both New and Old Testaments. One recurring theme of many of these readings is that it is now time to rouse ourselves from sleep and become much more spiritually awake and alert.

Before thanksgiving was an American holiday, it was a hallmark of the Judeo-Christian tradition. All ancient peoples gave thanks for creation; only Jews and Christians believe that God acted decisively in history to secure our liberation from slavery. Eucharist simply means thanksgiving -- and it is the supreme act of worship and thanks for the sacrifice that won our ultimate liberation.

The belief second and final coming of Jesus as sovereign Lord and judge of the world is common to all Christians, Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant. It is commemorated each November in the Roman Catholic Feast of Christ the King, a celebration that inspires both hope and a salutary fear.

Podcast discussing the amazing Roman basilica that goes all the way back to the new testament period, San Clemente, dedicated to Clement of Rome, third successor of Peter.

If you're not praying, you're not going to get very far in understanding your faith or being able to help others grow in theirs. Historical theologian Dr. Italy (Marcellino D'Ambrosio) explains three prayers of the Church to help you deepen your own prayer life and help others deepen their prayer lives as well. Listen and come away with a better grasp of the Church's teaching on prayer, as well as several very practical ways to incorporate these three specific prayers into your own life and ministry.

A thorough understanding of the world Jesus lived in is vital to a thorough understanding of Jesus himself.

Mike talking to Marcellino D'Ambrosio, a.k.a. "Dr. Italy" founder of Crossroads Initiative and co-author of Jesus: The Way, The Truth, and The Life about the historical context of the Old Testament, the world in which Jesus began his ministry.