The Church has what is called a “liturgical” calendar which guides the Church is celebrating what we call the “Christian” year. The first “season” of that year is Advent. We began that season this Sunday, November 27.
Do you note that this season comes at the end of our calendar year? What and why? The coming of Christ signals something new, and Christ is coming. Christmas is “just around the corner,” and there is nothing like that in all of history…God coming to us in the person Jesus. For Christians Advent is waiting and preparing for that event, December 25.
Our pattern is we prepare, but for what has become a highly secular event. Even before Thanksgiving we were responding to those who were using Christ for their consumeristic purposes. We decorate the tree and the whole house, we make our list and buy gifts (spending far too much money!) plan the parties we will be hosting, and responding to those to which we are invited…and so the best description of the season is hectic.
Advent is preparing and waiting intentionally. We consciously recognize that we are waiting between Christ’s first and his second coming. Because of distorted messages about Jesus’ “second coming,” most of us don’t think enough about it. I often find myself thinking what will Jesus do when he comes again? The more pressing question is what will I be doing when he comes?
Blaise Paschal said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” I’m not sure all problems come because of that. I am sure that many of the times I have missed a turn I should be taking was because I did not wait and think more clearly about how I was going to journey.
During this Advent I’m practicing patience, seeking to wait patiently for all Christmas means. Advent is important. My young friend and colleague, William Merriman, has chided us, “Advent is to say to our Lord, there is no room in the Inn.”