The great spiritual writer, Thomas Merton, once wrote that “the Advent mystery … is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ”. As this new liturgical year begins, we are invited once again, to examine our lives and reflect on how we might become more and more Christ-like and selfless. The color purple or violet we see in our churches is a reminder that we need to repent and strive for this change in our spiritual and ordinary lives by being more focused on serving God and others. This is a great challenge in a narcissistic society that encourages us to take care of ourselves first. The Gospel challenges us to reach out to others to be Christ to the world.
During the season of Advent we encounter two figures who show us the way and model for putting on Christ. Early in the season we are introduced to John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, who reminds us that he is not Christ but the one who prepares the way for Him. In our lives that is something we should consider doing as well — take the focus off of us and direct it toward God. Later in the season we are brought to Mary, a young Jewish woman whose world is shaken up by the visit of an angel of God. Her amazing response to follow God into His unknown and amazing path reminds us of our own call to serve as He calls us.
Advent is both a joyful and a penitential season of preparation for the Lord’s coming. This should not be a time of sadness as we focus on our sinfulness and desperate need for God, but a time of growing joy and anticipation. We are preparing not just for Christmas, but for the second coming of Christ, so we better be ready.
It is no coincidence that Advent occurs during the darkest time of the year, at least in our area of the world. As this part of the world moves closer to the winter solstice when the daylight hours will begin to increase, contrasting images of light and darkness encompass our liturgical prayer. “He will illumine what is hidden in darkness, and reveal Himself to the nations.” “In darkest night His coming shall be, when all the world is despairing, as morning light so quiet and free, so warm and gentle and caring.” The progressive lighting of the four advent wreath candles, the evergreen branches that never die; all of these words and images of our Churches prayer reminds us of joyful anticipation and preparation.
Advent is a season filled with grace and promise, of new-life and new love. There is a sense of urgency that should wake us from our complacency, but not for shopping or end-of-the-year business, but for judgment and eternity.