GOSPEL MATTERS: Advent Presence

Dr Christine Wood, Director, Office of Evangelisation & Catechesis

Advent is the season to prepare for the coming presence of God. The word ‘advent’ comes from the Latin ‘adventus’ meaning ‘a coming, or approach.’

For four weeks before Christmas the Church joyfully awaits the coming of her Messiah.

But this waiting is difficult for Christians to practice as Christmas decorations go up in early November, and carols are blasted incessantly in shopping centres, ensuring we have carol overload by the time 25 December arrives.

Our culture is driven by the need for instant gratification. We want immediate answers to our texts, and rapid search results on Google. 

But this isn’t very human. In fact, it’s a cause of great anxiety in our fast-paced world. It often means we miss out on meaningful experiences because we’re impatient for things to happen naturally. 

Advent teaches us to slow down and wait, to listen to the Lord, and build our expectation for the coming Christ. 

Christmas is worth waiting for. If we begin celebrating Christmas in advance of 25 December, we lose our hunger for God. Instead of experiencing the tangible joy of the newborn Christ-child, our hearts are filled with fleeting morsels that fail to satisfy. We miss the real meaning of Christmas.

Ancient Israel can be our model for joyful expectation. Israel awaited centuries for liberation from political and moral oppression. God sent prophets like Isaiah to console Israel and teach them to await a newborn king, who would rule with justice and bring worldwide peace. This king would be called, “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Likewise, Mary and Joseph also waited. For nine months they pondered what life would be like once Jesus was born. Mary’s ‘yes’ to God at the Annunciation brought untold blessings to each of us. Joseph stood guard over Mary and the unborn Jesus, particularly during difficult times. They prayed together and joyfully looked forward to the coming future King of Israel.

Pope Benedict XVI said that the Advent season “is in a particular way a period of joy, an interiorised joy that no suffering can diminish. It is joy in the fact that God made himself a Child. This joy, invisibly present within us, encourages us to journey on with confidence.”

As we anticipate Christ’s coming at Christmas, let’s prepare our hearts well this Advent. Then, when Christmas arrives, we will be ready to genuinely celebrate the true meaning of Christ: Divine Love has entered our world. God is truly with us. Wishing you all a blessed Advent and happy Christmas.