Bulletin Column: What Is Advent All About?

Peace and greetings to all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Second Sunday of Advent. Perhaps you have noticed that our society is now in full holiday mode. The decorations are up, Christmas music is playing around the clock, holiday concerts and parties are on the calendar, and shopping is at a fever pitch. At the same time there is another reality that comes into play for us who profess faith in Jesus Christ. As Catholic Christians, we are called through the Church's liturgy, into this season called Advent. Unlike the season of Lent with its clear call to do penance through fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, the purpose of the season of Advent is probably less clear to us. This begs the question: What is Advent all about?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) answers that question with these words: "When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming" (CCC 522). Simply stated, Advent first invites us, through the Church's liturgy, to place ourselves into the world before Christ's first coming. This was a time of darkness as mankind lacked access to communion with his heavenly Father. This was also a time of great expectation through God's chosen people, Israel. They longed for the coming of a Messiah who would bring light and deliverance. This explains St. John's opening words in his Gospel when speaking of Christ: "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 7:4-5) In these days of Advent, let us prayerfully and liturgically reflect on what has transpired in the past and become, once again, participants in the preparation for the Savior's first coming. 

There is, however, another dimension of Advent that takes us from the past and points us to a future event. In this season, we are also called to renew our desire for Christ's Second Coming. In last Sunday's Gospel from St. Luke, we heard Jesus' words about the reality of his Second Coming. His use of apocalyptic language can be very unsettling for us to hear and can even create fear in our hearts. Jesus acknowledges this himself noting that some "will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world." (Luke 21:26) The heavens, the natural order, and the nations will be in disarray as the world is shaken. Amid great trials and tribulations, Jesus will return. 

Every Sunday we profess in the Creed that "He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end" and that "I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come."This is our profession of hope, and it reflects the desire that we should all have for the return of Jesus Christ. What began in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary and was unveiled in a manger in Bethlehem will be brought to its full culmination at the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. During these remaining days of Advent may we look to the past and long for the future of our Savior's glorious return. Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!