At the heart of this great season of Advent are the themes of waiting and preparing. As we await for the kingdom, it is important that we stay focussed on our Christian objective. And what is that objective, if not the lowly child in the manger.
The spirit of waiting for the Lord is something that identifies a Christian, not only during Advent but in all things. It should be the default Christian posture as we go about our lives. To wait is to stand ready, but it is much more than that, too. Real waiting – that is, to wait in eager anticipation – allows us to concentrate on Christ, because other things become much less important. We do not care so much about worldly things when we are waiting for what the world largely doesn’t recognise.
Then, this posture helps us to recall our daily call to holiness. Everyone who has read the lives of the saints and who endeavours to be inspired by that great canon will appreciate that our call to holiness is a daily one, and requires regular attention. Honesty, empathy, integrity, true charity: these are the treasures of which we are custodians, and through which – in the sight of God – we are transformed into people of his kingdom.
The word ‘wait’ is not to suggest inaction. We are not waiting in the same way that we wait silently for a train. Our waiting room is a dynamic and extraordinary world, in which we are daily presented with opportunities both to develop our relationship with Christ and – through integrity and truth – to become part of the wonderful landscape of other people’s waiting.
Christianity involves us and those around us, and in that sense the Advent season is a community thing as well as personal.
Let us, then, enter this year’s Advent season with joy and vigour, eager to renew our journey to God by the gifts he gives us of humility, integrity, honesty, and love.
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.’
‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
