I promise I’m not trying to be the Grinch or Scrooge here, but I just want to hit a pause on the whole ‘Yay it’s December so let’s decorate our houses, start playing Christmas carols and spread the Christmas cheer!’ I’m all about Christmas cheer… but IT’S NOT CHRISTMAS YET!
So what, you say? I know it’s tempting, guys. Christmas can be magical, and who wants to miss out on some Christmas magic? This is what it comes down to – God wants to give you much, much more than mere Christmas cheer. And that’s why we have Advent.
I remember often thinking when I was younger, “Why do they keep saying we are preparing for the coming of Baby Jesus during Advent? Didn’t he already come as a baby a long time ago?” I was reminded by a friend a few days ago that the liturgical readings of the first three weeks of Advent focus on the Second Coming of Christ, and it’s only in the last week that we are commemorating the FIRST Coming when Jesus came as a baby.
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 Saviour's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. CCC 524
Advent is all about expectancy, waiting, and ardent desire.
We’re all waiting for something. For so many single people, it is a waiting for the right person to come along. For many young couples, it is a longing for a child. For some, it is a hunger for peace and reconciliation within their families, or a longing for freedom from anxiety, depression or addiction for themselves or for someone dear to them.
But deeper within those desires, there is a longing, a desire for fulfilment, a deep ache for something more. Advent is a chance to recognize that desire is really for Jesus, that our hearts are hungry for Him. But the beautiful, exciting thing is that HE IS COMING. Just as the world waited in darkness for the coming of the dawn for centuries before Jesus arrived as a baby in an unknown corner of the world, He has PROMISED He will return, and that He will bring salvation to all those who desire it. He will wipe away every tear, He will right every wrong, He will satisfy every desire of your heart.
Take heart, my friends! Lift your eyes and see – HE IS COMING! The Second Coming is the end of the world, and we do need to be ready. But for many of us, it may be our own deaths that may come first, and that we need to prepare our hearts for. But there is another coming – the daily coming of Christ. Heaven starts here on earth, if only we desire it enough. ‘God is always trying to give us good things, but our hands are too full to receive them' said Saint Augustine. Which is why we have Advent. We need to stretch our hearts to make room for heaven. We need to empty our hands and open them before God. In a world of instant gratification, we need to consciously choose to embrace the waiting, even when it is tinged with pain.
How can we embrace Advent? I know it’s not much time left, but here’s your chance to redeem the next week
1. Set aside time every day to visit an Adoration chapel. Bring the deepest longings and desires of your heart to Jesus, and just sit with Him in the waiting.
2. Put away your Christmas music and fill your home with Advent music. What’s Advent music? Any music that focuses on waiting, on expectation, on the coming of Christ.
- Waiting Here for You – Jesus Culture
- Take Courage – Kristene DiMarco
- Waiting for the Dawn – Salt of the Sound (album)
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel - The Piano Guys (haunting version)
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Bethel Kids (catchy version)
- Glory Cry The Angel Choirs - Ed Conlin (Only for Christmas Eve, can someone PLEASE sing this at a Midnight Mass choir and invite me?)
- I Wonder As I Wander - Audrey Assad
- Behold - Hillsong
- Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence - Aly Aleigha
- O Come to the Altar - Elevation Worship
- I Will Trust In You - Lauren Daigle
- Song of Solomon - Martin Smith
- Even So Come - Passion
- Our Hearts Will Rise - Ed Conlin
3. Make an Advent wreath, light a candle every night, and read the liturgical readings. Or pray the Divine Office. The riches and wisdom of the Church shine through the Divine Office.
4. Listen to an Abiding Together podcast every day. I suggest these ones:
- Waiting
- Advent and the Fellowship of the Feminine Genius – Part 1
- Advent and the Fellowship of the Feminine Genius Part 2 – Interview with Ali Hoffman
- The Principles of Abiding
- Belonging – Advent Part 1
- Beloved – Advent Part 2
- Be Still – Advent Part 3
- Believe – Advent Part 4
- Hope in Seasons of Darkness
- Striving Vs. Abiding
5. Pick one personal act of love to do every day until Christmas:
- Write a letter to a friend
- Pack a few groceries and find someone to give it to
- Send an affirming or encouraging text to someone who needs it
- Hug your family members and tell them you love them
- Forgive someone who has hurt you
- Drop in and visit an old relative
I pray all you have an Advent that allows you to receive more fully the JOY of Christmas. I will be working on some of these things too. Let me know how it goes!
Related Reading and More Advent Song Lists
Favorite Catholic Advent Songs
10 Advent Songs To Cure the Christmas Craziness
Eight Tips to Surviving Christmas
No comments:
Post a Comment