The First Sunday of Advent
It’s snowing outside. Oh, it’s not sticking, but still it’s snowing! A bit early, if you ask me. There are already too many reminders that this year 2007 is almost over. It gets dark by 4:30, the leaves are brown and coming down, it’s cold enough that you need to bundle up extra just to step out of the house. But even though our calendar year 2007 is winding down, the first Sunday of Advent (Dec. 2 this year) begins a new year for us in the Church.
Advent is a season of anticipation and hope, but more than that it’s also a season of introspection and repentance. This runs counter to the prevailing currents of our society at this time of year. At the very time that we gather in awe before God who has already come in Jesus Christ and will come again, we are surrounded by rampant consumerism, and portrayals of family life that have nothing to do with reality.
For people who follow the liturgical calendar closely, Advent is a profoundly countercultural time. It is a time to focus on the object of true wonder: our creator and redeemer God. If all that we have and all that we are is a gift from God, then what better time of year is there to keep that in the forefront of our minds and hearts?
This Advent let’s make an effort to keep the focus of the season where it belongs- on the coming of God’s kingdom and how we live in anticipation of the coming of that kingdom. All those hungry retailers out there can’t hold a candle to that.
May this Advent season be a blessing to you and those you hold dear.
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