Advent reflection
Preparing for the coming of Christ
The Church begins a new Liturgical year on the First Sunday of Advent. During these four weeks, she prepares with growing expectation for the coming of Christ in a Spirit of waiting, conversion and hope. This year 2013, Advent begins on Sunday, December 1st.
Advent is a period of spiritual preparation in which many Christians make themselves ready for the coming, or birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ. The season begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve.
A spirit of anticipation, preparation and longing
It is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing. There is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world. It is a cry of those who have experienced being dominated by injustice in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who have hope of deliverance by a God who has heard the cries of the oppressed and brought deliverance.
A God of peace and love
It is that hope, however faint at times, and that God, however distant He sometimes seem, which brings to the world the anticipation of a King who will rule with truth and justice and righteousness over His people and in His creation. It is that hope that once anticipated and now anticipates anew, the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to the world. Part of the expectation also anticipates a judgment on sin and a calling of the world to accountability before God. We long for God to come and set the world right.
Many Christians celebrate Advent not only by thanking God for Christ’s first coming to Earth as a baby but also for his presence among us today through the Holy Spirit, and in preparation and anticipation of his final coming at the end of time.
So we celebrate with gladness the great promise in the Advent, a time of preparation marked by prayer – prayers of humble devotion and commitment, prayers of submission, prayers for deliverance, prayer from those walking in darkness who are awaiting and anticipating a great light…..Come, Lord Jesus, Come Lord, Come!
Sr Cordelia Pierre f.j.
Enjoyed the article on “Come Jesus”. It is simple to read. It does help to reflect on the Advent season. It helps me to reflect, meditate, contemplate the coming of our Lord. Thank you