When someone dilly-dallies, we express disappointment by asking the question, “Ano’ng hinihintay mo – Pasko?,” or mockingly saying, “Pasko na!” Surely, it is often said with humor, a friendly reminder to the person directed at. On the other hand, these statements may also remind us of what the Advent season signifies.
Ano’ng hinihintay mo – Pasko? During Advent, we hear of Isaiah’s constant reminder to wayward Israel of God’s faithfulness to His promise that He will come, and of John the Baptist’s call for repentance. The same is true with us, as we share the longing for Christ’s coming. We are also asked to repent – which does not merely involve regret or external acts of penance, but a change of mind and heart. We are instructed to think differently and develop fresh attitudes concerning our conduct.
At the same time, Advent reminds us that we are a joyful people. It spurs us to renew our hope, because God comes to us in our darkness. The Virgin Mary gladly experienced His coming into her womb. The story of Mary’s happy expectancy might lead us to think that she didn’t risk the things she valued, and that she knew everything will be all right. Advent invites us to live in joyful hope, even though our situation is difficult, because it is in having this disposition that we are able to ‘risk’ ourselves for God.
Pasko na! The expression’s significance is not apparent because it literally means Christmas is here. However, Advent refers not only to the coming of the Lord into the world as man, but to His every coming. Indeed, He comes to us here and now. He comes to us when we pray, when we partake in the holy sacrifice of the Mass. He comes to us everyday in our human fellowship. Because of this, our waiting can never be passive. Our preparation consists of both “waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God.” Advent tells us to be aware of His coming in our daily lives – to make the moral choices, to have the right temperament towards the people around us, to give our best in everything we do.
It usually seems that Advent is ill-timed. We get caught up in the whirl of Christmas shopping and parties and then we find that Advent and Christmas have passed. The flurry of activities does not necessarily conflict with the meaning of this season. We also respond to the challenge of Advent if these activities move us to reconcile with others and to nurture relationships. Still, we must remember the urgency and seriousness of Advent’s message. Just as we cannot add another week to the four weeks of Advent or place a fifth candle to the Advent wreath if we’re not yet ready for Christmas, we can prepare for His approach only for the limited time that we live. We cannot dilly-dally.
