Advent is a period of waiting and preparation for the Lord’s coming. The advent wreath, with its candles, symbolizes the time that Israel waited for the Messiah, their savior and redeemer. Although Christ has already come in history when God became man in the person of Jesus, Christ comes to us now everyday in the Eucharist and Christ will come again in his Second Coming. Therefore, Advent is not only a time to recall the promises of old, but it’s also a time during which the Church calls us to prepare ourselves spiritually while waiting for Christ to come now and in his Second Coming.
Waiting is a very ordinary part of our lives. All of us have experienced the act of “waiting” in some way. One experiences waiting for the bus to come, waiting for the food to be served at the table, waiting for the next day, waiting in line, etc. The feeling of waiting can either impact us negatively or positively depending on our attitude as we wait.
As we wait with boredom, frustration, depression, anxiety, or nervousness, we are impacted negatively. These attitudes bring about a sense of irritation for time wasted or helplessness. On the other hand, a positive mindset when waiting can bring us much joy, hope, and excitement. For example, waiting for the winter to fade away with eagerness for the warm, fresh breeze of spring stirs within us a sense of excited anticipation. In another case, the expectant mother who goes into labor would endure the pain of childbirth with anticipation of meeting her newborn baby face to face. Moreover, the student who waits for the day of graduation prepares with excitement. Another example of positive waiting is when parents look forward to a family reunion as they wait for their daughters and sons to come home.
In a deeper sense, our physical waiting can be seen as a shadow of our spiritual waiting. Reflecting on the various ways we can physically wait helps us understand and strengthen the spiritual reality of our waiting and longing for our union with Christ. Looking forward with anticipation for the coming of Christ, our soul is filled with a sense of hope, gratitude, and appreciation for what God has planned for us. Knowing that God’s incarnation is a promise fulfilled and that Christ comes to us now and will come again in his Second Coming, it is with joy that we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas.
Examples of waiting can also be seen in biblical characters. Take Zechariah, for instance, as he waits for God to free his tongue to name his son John. Moreover, his wife Elizabeth waits for her son to be born. Similarly, the Blessed Virgin Mary, who puts her trust in God’s Word, waits to give birth to the Son of God. We also encounter Simeon praying, waiting and hoping to see his Savior before dying. His wish was fulfilled and he held the infant Jesus in his arms with great joy! All the above are precious examples of spiritual waiting as they take on the attitudes of trust, hope, and faith in the promises of God.
Like a little child who thirsts for his mother’s milk, so our soul thirsts for God’s love. The human soul searches for God, like the dry, weary land without water in Psalm (63:2):
“O God, you are my God, for you I long.
For you, my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
Like a dry, weary land without water….”
This urge for union draws the soul close to God like the invisible tide draws the water close to the shore. This desire can be likened to what St. Augustine felt: “My heart is restless until it rests in You.”
During the Advent season, the holy Church utilizes external signs and symbols such as the Advent wreath, purple cloth, and evergreen leaves to remind us of our spiritual waiting. Even the songs we sing are centered around the themes of longing and waiting. When we sing the song “Maranatha,” which means our Lord is coming, we are reminded of mankind’s longing for their Savior in biblical history. As of old, we today long for the Lord to come and deliver us from the bonds of sin. Moreover, the Nativity scene is set up as the days get closer to Christmas with an empty manger to stir evermore within us the aching for the birth of Christ.
As anticipation for dawn to come brings hope, waiting for the Light of the World who is Jesus himself, stirs expectant fulfillment. Jesus had come to mankind in Bethlehem and He will come to us personally at our last breath on earth and on the last day of the world.
Therefore, being alert and ready to “light your lamps…like the servants who await their master’s return” (Luke 12: 35-36), would be our joy to celebrate Christmas.
Lord help us to be ready while we are waiting for your coming like the five wise virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom at midnight. Help us to prepare ourselves with the lamps that are full of the oil of love, hope and joy when you come. Jesus, you are the source of joy and hope and the Light of the World. May your light shine upon us. Guide us to be alert and well prepared for your coming . Amen.
Comments