(Right this very minute!)
I could use a little Advent right now. 2020 has been a bit rough on us all. Any chance for a fresh beginning is most welcome. That’s exactly what Advent gives us.
The word itself comes from the Latin advenire, meaning “to reach, to arrive”. In recent decades the penitential nature of Advent has faded a bit in favor of a more general sense of “preparing the way of the Lord.” This is not such a bad thing as long as we remember that prayer and penance are an essential part of doing just that.
The rhythm of the season helps us. It’s a lot like getting the house ready for Christmas. You have to clean the home and get things in order before you can put up the decorations.
For the first three weeks of Advent, we are encouraged to meditate of the coming of the Lord at the end of time. The readings and prayers of the Liturgy help us in this regard. In this sense, Advent should be a time of simplification, of purging the physical and spiritual clutter out of our lives. An easy place to start is by tidying things up around the house. Clutter is bad. What are you holding onto that needs to be out of your house and out of your life. The advertisement is right: “Less junk—more happiness!” (I wonder if they are Catholic?) I suggest starting small, perhaps with the “junk drawer” and moving on from there.
Next, get working on the spiritual clutter. Step 1: get to confession. This year, in addition to regular confession times and in order to make it easier and more safe, we are having three little penance services on December 15,16, and 17. Pick a time that works for you.
Once we have gotten our physical and spiritual house in order, so that we are ready to welcome the second coming of Christ in glory, then we can begin to prepare to celebrate his first coming in humility. You’ll note that the emphasis of the Liturgy does just that
We could all use a little Advent right now. It couldn’t come at a better time. Maranathá! Come, Lord Jesus