Christmas is a favourite time of year in the Wholley household. It’s the one time that I go out and buy magazines to plan for the year’s Christmas menu. My daughters and I plan what decorations will go, while my husband starts making a list of all the “jobs” he is going to have to do to make our requests a reality. I have to admit we started the decorating a week early this year on the Feast of Christ the King. However, it is this Sunday that we begin the season of Advent and celebrate the Church’s “New Year”.
Advent comes from the Latin word for “arrival” or “coming”. Advent means that the Lord is coming. Jesus Christ is about to arrive. But it is not as we understand. For we can see Jesus in the Mass celebrated each day, in our own consciences when we try to do the right thing and in the face of those in need. We must be ready to receive and welcome Jesus when He comes, however and whenever He comes.
Advent is a time of joy tinged with penance. Joy, because we can imagine nothing more wonderful than Baby Jesus being born in the arms of Mary his Mother and our Mother. Penance, because we must be ready to accept the gift of Jesus and the challenge we face as Christians. Advent is a time when we think about the things we have done wrong and what we can do to make them right.
Advents is a season of joy as well as a time of incompleteness and longing. Even the colours of the Advent Wreath draw us into its atmosphere of waiting and rejoicing. Green reminds us of the hope that is ours; rose fill us up with joy; and purple calls us to repentance and a heartfelt preparation.
When our lives have been touched by the reality of Jesus’ presence, it is only natural that we would long to come close to Him by responding as He would to the ordinary events of our lives. The celebration of His birth has great meaning for us and Advent is the perfect opportunity to prepare for Christmas in a way that will open us more and more to His coming anew in our day.
This Advent spend special time with your family, as you set up your tree, Advent wreath, Christmas lights, Nativity – or all of these things, like we do. Talk about what it means to be of joy for others; to consider our actions and words and how they should be used to encourage those around us to reach their potential; to be a light in times of darkness and remember that there is “more joy in giving than in receiving.”
Loretta Wholley
Principal
