This Sunday we enter the rich and beautiful liturgical season of Advent. It is made beautiful by lights, colors, and music. Like the time of a marriage engagement, Advent is a time of joyful waiting and expecting and not the wedding celebration itself — Not yet. In the first part of Advent until December 16, the liturgical readings and the entire liturgy place our attention on the second coming of Jesus at the end of time and the necessary element for this moment: preparation for the conversion of the heart. The patrons of this first period are John the Baptist “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,” (Lk 3:3) and the prophet Isaiah calling us to “prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths” (Is 40:3).
From December 17 until Christmas, the accent changes and we meditate about the historical coming of the Savior of the world, the Messiah — Jesus Christ. So, during this time we hear the stories of the Annunciation, Visitation and the prophecies regarding the child who will save the human race. All the people involved in this are amazed how God enters the realm of humanity with His saving power: Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth — the mother of John the Baptist, her husband Zechariah and others, not mentioned by name in the Gospel, but who witnessed what was happening.
These are stories of the beginning of the fullness of time when God entered with His grace into the life of the human race. Through the teaching and offering of His Son, God revealed fully and ultimately who He is and what is our vocation. He cast the light on the earth: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone” (Is 9:1). By his coming, Jesus is a lantern that enlightens the road or a lighthouse that shows the sailor the safe harbor.
Brothers and Sisters, let’s take advantage of this special season by meditating on these biblical events and reflecting on our life in light of these events and teaching of the Church. May Mary, St. Joseph, St. John the Baptist and other saints assist us in our Advent journey.
Fr. Mark Jurzyk