Reflection

Another season of Advent is with us. We ask: what is the spirit of this season in our liturgical celebrations? Is it celebrated just in the same way as any other Sundays of the other church seasons of the year? Hopefully not. The spirit of the Advent season is a time of devout and holy expectation. But who and what are we expecting? And how should we do so?

Advent is from the Latin adventus, a coming or arrival. There are three ways that the advent of Christ takes place: in history, in mystery and in glory. The first advent of Christ is in our human history. Emmanu’el, God-with-us, is the name he will be called. The event of the Incarnation, God putting on human skin, is the first coming of Christ in the world. There was an exact time and place in our history, unknown to many and filled with humility and simplicity that God dwelt among us. But there is another advent of Christ that no one can predict or foresee. It is the advent of Christ in glory. The only thing we can do is to be prepared for such advent of the Lord. In a moment we least expect, the end times will arrive and his glory will appear and he will judge the entirety of humanity and its history. Meanwhile, in a mysterious way, Christ’s advent happens in our present moment. In the mystery of the sacraments we celebrate and the word of scripture proclaimed, he comes into our lives. It is like the air we breathe and don’t see yet we know it is there. He comes to us also in the mystery of every person, for he said that whatever we do or did not do to these brothers and sisters of mine you did or did not do to me.

The Advent season also has two parts. The 1st part begins on the first Sunday of Advent until December 16. It contains two elements: the glory of Christ that will come and of new beginnings. The readings tell us to wait and be watchful for his coming. The element of new beginnings is seen in a new gospel, Mark, on the first Sunday of Advent. We also see the Advent wreath and every week, we light a new candle for the four weeks of Advent. The second part of Advent begins from December 17 to the 24th. The readings become more special and distinct about the coming of the promised savior. We hear that John the Baptist will prepare his arrival (3rd Sunday of Advent, Dec. 14), and of the Annunciation of the angel to Mary (4th Sunday of Advent, Dec. 21). Then, the Christmas season comes, the very reason why we have the Advent time.

We also see visual changes in our celebrations in the church. The color of the priest’s vestments changes from green to dark violet during Advent. We also have the Advent wreath placed in the altar area. The songs also have the spirit of waiting and expectation: O Come, O Come Emmanuel, O Come Divine Messiah, Come Thou Long Expected Savior are just some examples of the hymns we will sing, heightening our sense of the Advent spirit.

Response

Advent season is a short season. Use it well so that a real Christmas can happen within you.