As we begin the new Church year with the season of Advent we stop to reflect what Advent means. As the weather grows colder and the days shorten, the prayers and readings of this time of year inspire us with hope, encouraging us to look forward in joyful expectation to the coming of the ‘Sun of Justice’, Jesus Christ at Christmas. The Scripture readings for Advent tell us that a new day is dawning and the hope of new beginnings should be finding a home in our hearts. “The Voice of John the Baptist tell us Prepare ye a way for the Lord what he is really telling us is `This is the road to take, walk down it”.
Before they were first called “Christians” in Antioch in the first century, the followers of Jesus referred to themselves as “People of the Way.” Sadly, for so many who live in our secular world, Advent has no meaning. Even for Catholics, it is so easy to pass the whole of December in a frantic preparation for Christmas. So many cards to post, presents to buy, preparations to make, meals to be cooked and yet with all the hustle and bustle the Church invites us to spend these 4 weeks in a very different spirit the spirit of hope filled anticipation. Advent from the Latin, Adventus means `coming’. God wants to be with us that is why he sent his Son Jesus into the world. During this time we look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ and we practice that most difficult and necessary of virtues – patience. We also exercise the theological virtue of HOPE – that is the faith-filled trust in God’s promises.
Pondering the marvelous works of God in the Old Testament, we long to see them fulfilled in the wonder of the Incarnation, and we also look forward to the final coming of Christ at the end of time, when those promises will be definitively fulfilled, and God will make all things new. As we stop to think about the deeper meaning of Advent we cannot forget those who are in any kind of need. On World Day of the Poor on November 17th , Pope Francis said that the poor and most vulnerable can be left behind in the frenetic haste and self-centeredness of the modern world. Over these days we are asked to stretch beyond our comfort zones and to take note of the places and people in this world most easily overlooked by us especially in the places where we live. That is why the money we give to those organisations such as saint Vincent DePaul and the Salvation Army are so important at this time of the year as they help so many more people at Christmas.
There are a number of steps for all of us to take to enter into the Advent season.We can all slow down as we go about the daily toil that this time of year brings. Then, when we listen to the Scripture readings, we can begin to quietly pray, “Come, Lord, Jesus.” We might expand that prayer, in quiet moments of our days, “Come into my life, it is still messy so many ways. I believe you love me. Come and fill my heart mind and soul with the peace and the love only you can give.” “Come, Lord, Jesus, come into this house, into my family, into our struggles . Come and heal us, and give us peace in heart mind and spirit. Come into our communities and let us experience, each in our own way, the joy you are offering us.” And, before a single decoration goes up, we have prepared for Christmas’ and its message in the right way that is in a spiritual way. Advent is about letting God come to live in us it is also about letting God’s will be done in in our everyday lives.
It is about being the person that we are called in faith to be caring for and sharing with our families and friends as well as those who are in need wherever they are and there are many people who have little or nothing at all. All of our Advent preparations should lead us to Christmas which is a time for the celebration of the Christ Child Emmanuel who is God with us. So as we go forward may the four weeks of Advent help us to prepare for the birthday of Jesus at Christmas so that we will really understand that Jesus the Son of God Emmanuel God with us really is the reason for the Christmas season.
Fullerton T 