Celebrate and Anticipate:
Advent by Mike Van Vranken, Greco Institute Instructor
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saiah prophesied that “ . . .one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again” (Is 2:4). St. Paul wrote to the Romans “ . . . For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand” Romans (13:11-12). In the first reference, God is promising the “Anointed One” to his people who will bring peace to the earth. In the second, Paul is urgently preparing and cautioning his readers that Jesus’ return was closer than it was at the time of their conversion. Today, we use this season of Advent to celebrate the joy and redemption of the first coming while we eagerly and with great hope anticipate the second coming. If we could effectively meditate on the realization of the Incarnation of God during that first Christmas event, our joy, excitement and gratitude would probably transcend us into the very presence of Jesus himself. Our almighty and loving God humbled himself to become a flesh and blood man to live with us, to teach us, to be able to empathize with us, and to eventually suffer, die and rise for us. How do we begin to even attempt to understand the depth of that love? At the same time, if we can elevate our understanding of the hope we have in his imminent return our apprehension would be so great as to consume our every thought and activity. “ . . .whatever was written previously was written for our instruction” that “we may have hope” (Romans 15:4). When we say we have hope in the coming of the Lord, we mean we have great expectation of that coming. Using the season of Advent to comprehend that expectation, to fathom its meaning, to envision its blessings is an opportunity for us to try to realize the fullness of our relationship with God. Engaging in Advent activities that help us understand the power of our hope
in his return can help us experience a little heaven right here on earth. “ . . .be patient brothers and sisters until the coming of the Lord” (James 5:7). How can we use this season of Advent to look for ways to be patient for Jesus in our crazy world? Jesus reminded (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz) us that whatever we do for anyone else, we are also doing it for him. Just the to that same Word. Advent is a time of spiritual celebration act of showing patience to those we live and preparation. Our human nature loves with, work with, shop with and share the to remember the great joys and special world with can be a great reminder to us that Jesus came as an infant to live with us, occasions of history. Nothing in human history compares to the night when the he is coming again to reign with us, he is angels appeared to the shepherds and, in living in us now to show us the way. “ . . . therefore the Lord himself will give reality, to all of us, announcing that God had put his holy gift into the world for you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, our salvation. Nothing in future history and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel” (Is 7:14). This prophecy helps can ever be imagined like that great confirm the miracle of Christmas - God is day when Jesus returns for his Church. with us! That alone is enough to celebrate. Physical symbols like the advent wreath, physical benevolence such as giving to the That alone is enough to look for ways to hungry and homeless, even the physical be thankful and humble. That alone is actions of additional scripture reading enough to incite in us the burning desire and intentional prayer can and do help us to bring that promise of peace into our celebrate and anticipate. own world during this Advent season. Our initial Advent step should probably Paul commanded that we are to “ . . .bring be to seek the advice of the Holy Spirit as about the obedience of faith” (Romans to how we should celebrate and anticipate 1:5). According to the Catholic Study in 2010. Then, let’s make those daily Bible, “that is faith in the gift of the new life we have received though the life, death activities such a focus over the next four weeks that our celebration of Christmas and resurrection of Jesus and the activity and our anticipation of Christ’s return of the Holy Spirit.” Paul’s writings would dominate our every thought, word and contend this is the faith that begins with our hearing the Word and only continues deed, not only for this month, but for all with our commitment or even submission of our days to come. 9 8