Here we are at the beginning of another Church year. We have just celebrated Christ as the King of the Universe, and now we are joyful-ly waiting as we recollect His birth at Bethlehem so many years ago. This season is one of waiting, of preparing, of expectation. Some church figures compare it to an expectant couple as they are prepar-ing their home for the birth of a child – a lot of nesting going on! We’re preparing our homes for Christmas celebrations, and hopeful-ly we’re preparing our hearts for the coming of our Lord, too.
Not really as a child at Bethlehem, but the coming of the Lord at the end of our lives, or at the end of the world – whichever comes first. Preparation. That’s what it’s about.
We begin this season of Advent with readings that focus on the coming of Christ at the end of the world. As our Gospel from
Matthew states: “So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” (Matthew 24:44).
Our opening song prepares us for this Gospel message, “The King Shall Come”:
The King shall come when morning dawns and light triumphant breaks… not, as of old, a little child, to bear, and fight and die, but crowned with glory like the sun that lights the morning sky… Hail, Christ the Lord! They people pray: come quickly King of kings.
At offertory, we sing “Christ, Be Our Light” which reminds us of another important symbol of Advent – light. Notice the light references in the opening song, the first reading (let us walk in the light of the Lord), and the second reading (Put on the armor of light). Also the references to the opposite – the darkness and night: once again, the second reading (let us then throw off the works of darkness), the Gospel (if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake). This song emphasizes the waiting and darkness of this period of Advent with the joyful expectation of Christ’s coming.
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts, shine through the darkness. Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.
We close out our service with another reference to these symbols of Advent, “In the Day of the Lord”:
In the day of the Lord, the sun will shine like the dawn of eternal day.
All creation will rise to dance and sing the glory of the Lord!
And on that day will justice triumph,
On all that day all will be free:
Free from want, free from fear, free to live!
And no, this song isn’t referring to Christ’s coming as a baby at Bethlehem, but at his coming on the Last Day. Let’s prepare for that just as much as we’re preparing to celebrate Christmas!