Archive for November, 2008
Advent Not to be Overlooked
Sunday, November 30th, 2008
“Aiken Standard”
By THE REV. JEFF KIRBY
Guest columnist
Our society seems to be at a crossroads. Political questions and economic uncertainty fill the day. We seem to be living much of our lives in the future. Our times appear to be calling each of us to worry, assess, and prepare for what might be coming.
Such thinking, however, can oftentimes make us miss what is happening in the here and now. We can live so much in the future that we’re not even living in the present. What are we to do?
Today, various Christian communities have begun the observation of the four-Sunday-long Advent waiting. With the peace and joy of Christmas in the air, the Advent season can be overlooked to easily forgotten. But the season has an important place in our seasonal festivity. What is the reason and importance of Advent? What is its important message for the non-believer and Christian believer in our day and time?
The Advent season reminds people and societies that time is not eternal, and that each of us must determine for what, or who, we will live. Each person is called to discern and affirm what they believe and allow these convictions to shape and mold their lives. Advent heralds this important reminder.
Advent, more properly, summons all Christian believers to reread and relive the great events of salvation history in their own lives. It challenges them to open themselves to the spiritual workings of God in history and in their daily lives.
Advent is more than just a time of preparation for Christmas. And it doesn’t simply call the believer to prepare for the future return of Jesus Christ in glory. Above these purposes, Advent brings to life the ancient expectancy of the Messiah and allows the believer to experience it in himself today.
It also shows the believer the glimpses and foretastes of the future coming of Christ in the world of today. The season offers the believer the anticipation of the past and the hope of the future. It emphasizes the importance of each person living these truths here and now.
The joy of Christmas can be empty without the winged hope of Advent, and the new year can be hollow without the rooted story of the past. Advents seeks to be one voice in the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Advent is a call to live today the awesome story of Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It’s a summons to give everything, and to live an abundant life.
The Rev. Jeff Kirby is the parochial vicar of St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church.
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