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December 06, 2009 - So What IS Advent Anyway?

by Father Edward L. Beck, C.P.

I’m now going around saying Happy Advent to people and some are looking at me like I’m crazy. Advent? Is that the same as Happy Holidays? Well, not exactly, but it is celebratory. The word ADVENT comes from the Latin ADVENTUS, which means COMING. Advent is these four weeks before Christmas when Christians anticipate the coming of Jesus into the world. They’re meant to be a time of preparation and celebration. To get our hearts ready to receive the new born Savior. Sounds nice, right? But unfortunately for many of us these weeks are not that at all. Rather, they’ve become the most stressful time of year when cards need to be written, gifts need to be bought, and trees need to be trimmed. I’ve been thinking of how to do it differently this year. I’m cutting out the cards, especially at 44 cents a pop. I’m not buying any gifts. And the tree, well, yes, they’ll be one, but the crèche will be more prominent. And it’s not that I’ve turned into Scrooge. It’s that I want to practice more what I preach. There’s a beautiful simplicity to this time of year if we can recapture it. It’s about making way for a baby. Granted, one whose eventual life will change human hearts and the course of history. But a baby nonetheless. It’s about stillness and listening for the quiet. Hoping to hear something of God’s life stirring inside us. Because Advent is not primarily about Mary’s pregnancy, but ours. Us being pregnant with the possibility of light entering our darkness and hope casting out our fears. Even if some don’t believe Jesus is the Savior sent by God, who can argue with a baby who brings hope, and light, and peace? Adventus. O Come O Come Emmanuel, and bring us that much longed for peace.

To watch Father Beck give the above Reflection, click here.