The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for His second coming. By celebrating the precursor’s birth and martyrdom, the Church unites Herself to His desire: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (#524)
I think that sometimes we have been aware of Jesus for so long that we forget about the two comings of Christ. The Old Testament seems in agony as it awaits the coming of God into the world. The Israelites are awaiting God’s arrival which is going to bring down the mountains, fill in valleys, bring water to the desert, make righteous all acts of injustice and punish those who do acts of violence or unrighteousness. They looked for an earth-changing event that was going to come from the sky. They waited with great anticipation and expectation for God to enter the world. So it is not hard to believe that they had a hard time believing in Jesus as the Son God, since He did not herald the destruction of mountains or fill in valleys.
And so what are we waiting for during this season of Advent? Are we merely going to celebrate the birthday of the Savior? That is not what we pray in the Church. The preface for the first two weeks of Advent reads:
The Church teaches and prays Advent is a season in which we join in the Old Testament longing for God coming into the world. As Catholics we know that Jesus was born an infant in a manager to Joseph and Mary. He did profoundly affect the world. He transformed us in Grace. He destroyed sin and death and offers us the opportunity of eternal Life. As Catholics we believe that some day we will look up and see Christ coming again glory to bring an end to this world and take those that want to be with the Father to heaven.
Since this is what the Church teaches and prays so let us make sure that our lives reflect that of the Church. As we prepare for Christmas, take time to buy gifts and plan what you might want. ALSO, plan to notice Christ in the world. Take note of Jesus in the Sacraments, in the Tabernacle at your Church and prepare to share in the joy of His triumphant return.
I think that sometimes we have been aware of Jesus for so long that we forget about the two comings of Christ. The Old Testament seems in agony as it awaits the coming of God into the world. The Israelites are awaiting God’s arrival which is going to bring down the mountains, fill in valleys, bring water to the desert, make righteous all acts of injustice and punish those who do acts of violence or unrighteousness. They looked for an earth-changing event that was going to come from the sky. They waited with great anticipation and expectation for God to enter the world. So it is not hard to believe that they had a hard time believing in Jesus as the Son God, since He did not herald the destruction of mountains or fill in valleys.
And so what are we waiting for during this season of Advent? Are we merely going to celebrate the birthday of the Savior? That is not what we pray in the Church. The preface for the first two weeks of Advent reads:
When He humbled Himself to come among us as a Man, He fulfilled the plan you formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation. Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours when Christ will come again in His glory.
The Church teaches and prays Advent is a season in which we join in the Old Testament longing for God coming into the world. As Catholics we know that Jesus was born an infant in a manager to Joseph and Mary. He did profoundly affect the world. He transformed us in Grace. He destroyed sin and death and offers us the opportunity of eternal Life. As Catholics we believe that some day we will look up and see Christ coming again glory to bring an end to this world and take those that want to be with the Father to heaven.
Since this is what the Church teaches and prays so let us make sure that our lives reflect that of the Church. As we prepare for Christmas, take time to buy gifts and plan what you might want. ALSO, plan to notice Christ in the world. Take note of Jesus in the Sacraments, in the Tabernacle at your Church and prepare to share in the joy of His triumphant return.
No comments:
Post a Comment