20151129 First Advent C

There are many Christmas traditions that we enjoy between Thanksgiving and Christmas. There is shopping to get gifts for family and friends. There are parties with friends and coworkers. There is mistletoe to hang and good times. The children are eagerly anticipating Santa Claus’ arrival and the presents that he will bring for them. For Catholics, Orthodox churches and many other Christian people, Advent is more important.
Advent is the beginning of the Liturgical year in the Church. Advent is time of waiting and preparation and looking forward with hope for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. The traditional color of Advent is purple or violet which symbolizes the penitential spirit. In the history of the church, Advent was a time of fasting similar to Lent. Some began on the eleventh of November, others the fifteenth, and others as early as the autumnal equinox. Some Catholics and many Orthodox churches still fast during Advent.
Dr Mark Roberts provides a good explanation: “The time before Christmas is Advent, a season of preparation for Christmas. Christians prepare for celebrating the birth of Jesus by remembering the longing of the Jews for a Messiah. In Advent, we’re reminded of how much we ourselves also need a Savior, and we look forward to our Savior’s second coming even as we prepare to celebrate his first coming at Christmas. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “visit.” In the season with this name, we keep in mind both “advents” of Christ, the first in Bethlehem and the second yet to come.”
The Advent Wreath helps us prepare for Christmas. Today the Advent Wreath was blessed and the first candle was lit. Each week of Advent, another candle is lit in the wreath. The colors help to remind us of the purpose of Advent. Three of the candles are purple and one is pink. Purple stands for royalty and has a somber serious feel to it. The first two weeks of Advent are purple; a time of repentance in preparation for the coming of our King. The third week is pink which is a happy color and reminds us that the joy of Christmas will soon be here. The fourth week is back to purple for the final preparation of our hearts as we long for the coming of Jesus.
During Advent, we prepare for Jesus’ coming; the celebration of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem two thousand years ago and the second coming of Jesus at the end of time. Jesus said the no one knows the time except for the Father. The chances of our being alive for the second coming of Christ are unknown. What is known is that we will die and that will end our earthly journey. Our soul does not die but continues on. Our life is not ended, it is just changed and we must be prepared for that moment.
Advent is a reminder that we have hope beyond the eventual moment of death. This longing and expectation that we will see Jesus removes the fear that so many people feel even today.
We are fortunate that we do not live in fear of execution just because we are Christians like many parts of the world. But death can come at any moment: a car accident, a heart attack or an act of violence by a stranger or loved one. The Psalmist asked the Lord to make his ways known to us and to show us sinners the way. All the paths of the Lord are kindness to those who keep his covenant and decrees. The friendship of the Lord is near to those who follow his ways. What a wonderful promise God gave us.
Jeremiah and Paul both wrote during a time of great fear. But both had hope and looked to God’s promise for the future. Jeremiah wrote: “In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure”. Paul wrote: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all” so it will strengthen your hearts and make you blameless in holiness before God.
Today, fear is everywhere just like in the times of Jeremiah and Paul as well as the future events that Jesus talked about in today’s Gospel. The recent bombings and killing sprees by terrorists in France, Palestine, Israel and throughout Africa struck fear into people around the world. The droughts and resulting wild fires this summer on the West Coast while other parts of the country had floods has people worried about what’s next. The tornadoes in the Mid-west and hurricanes on the east coast and Mexico and the winter wind storms and rain here in the Northwest make us realize how vulnerable we really are to the forces of nature regardless of where we live.
Many people purchase food and supplies in case of a terrorist attack or a natural disaster. But these are futile attempts to calm our fears; when the disaster strikes we will still be afraid. The only way to overcome the fear that grips the world is to be ready for the coming of our Savior.
How do we prepare for the coming of our Savior?
In a letter to the Knights of Columbus’ one hundred and thirty third Supreme Convention, Pope Francis wrote: “It is urgent that, from Catholics throughout the world, an unceasing sacrifice of prayer be offered for the conversion of hearts, an end to fanatical violence and intolerance, and a general recognition of those fundamental human rights which are not granted the state, but from the hand of the creator.”
Advent is a time of preparation and repentance. One way to prepare is to offer an unceasing sacrifice of prayer for the conversion of hearts, especially our own. As we walk this journey of Advent, we pray for God’s forgiveness and help to be the witness that God wants us to be to the world. We prepare our hearts for the final coming of Christ our Savior through prayer.
Advent is a time of preparation and joy. How will we spend this Advent?
Will we spend our lives in a state of fear for what might happen in the future? Will we purchase food and supplies like those preparing for a terrorist attack or natural disaster? Or will we spend some time reaching out in love to those who hate us? Will we spend the time buying gifts and getting ready for secular X-mas without Christ in our plans? Or will we volunteer to help serve a hot meal or prepare a warm place for the homeless to sleep at night? Will we enjoy all the parties leading up to Christmas, having a good time with coworkers or family and friends? Or will we offer a sacrifice of prayer for the conversion of hearts as we prepare for the coming of Christ our Savior?