Advent: A Time of Patient Waiting
Advent: Waiting Patiently
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 524) teaches us: “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 Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor's birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’”
The Season of Advent, by tradition, is both penitential and preparatory. It blends together a penitential spirit, very similar to Lent, and a joyful spirit of preparation for the birth of Christ on December 25th. The penitential aspect, which is primarily noted during the first two weeks of Advent, calls us to reflect on our relationship with God as we look toward judgment at the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time. The preparatory aspect kicks in very directly in the last two weeks of the season; the readings and prayers at Mass and in the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours focus our eyes on the impending birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is during this time we are called to identify how we can get our hearts and homes ready to welcome our Savior – Jesus Christ – as God becomes man on that Christmas night!
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 524) teaches us: “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 Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor's birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’”
The Season of Advent, by tradition, is both penitential and preparatory. It blends together a penitential spirit, very similar to Lent, and a joyful spirit of preparation for the birth of Christ on December 25th. The penitential aspect, which is primarily noted during the first two weeks of Advent, calls us to reflect on our relationship with God as we look toward judgment at the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time. The preparatory aspect kicks in very directly in the last two weeks of the season; the readings and prayers at Mass and in the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours focus our eyes on the impending birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is during this time we are called to identify how we can get our hearts and homes ready to welcome our Savior – Jesus Christ – as God becomes man on that Christmas night!