God’s reign of justice, peace, and goodness began with the birth of a baby boy. How simple and adorable! No upheaval, no force—just God becoming a child so we could become children of God. Yet the incarnation was indeed revolutionary and powerful! Because of the Incarnation we can let our humanity become like God while making us more fully human. One way is to bring God’s justice, peace, and goodness into out world. The prophet Jeremiah claimed, “This is the name they give him: The Lord our justice.” Perform an act of justice, peace, and goodness today. Remember the long lines of people waiting for food in this time of global food insecurity. Remember the art piece “Christ in the Breadline.” Feed Him and them.
Advent has two parts, and its second half begins today. During these last eight days the Church’s Evening Prayer has a nightly O Antiphon. The O antiphons are chronological with the oldest Messianic title of Wisdom, representing the Holy Spirit at the creation of the world. We climb through history: Leader, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Radiant Dawn, King, Emmanuel. (By the way, the first letter of each of these titles in Latin spells “Ero Cras,” which means “Tomorrow I will come.”)
Monasteries produced elaborate hymnody to sing the O Antiphons. The monks also had a tradition of enjoying special treats on each of these eight days. On the day on which they sang of Root of Jesse, for example, they had peanuts, a root food. The cook served oranges on the day remembering the Rising Sun or Radiant Dawn. My favorite is the Key of David, when the monk in charge of the wine cellar served the finest wine. Why not follow the monks’ joyous tradition? Make each day to Christmas special as the O-O-O prepares the way for the Ho-Ho-Ho?
Although we await the Second Coming, salvation is here in Christ, and sacred history continues in us. John the Baptist claims that salvation is “personalized” in Christ. Jesus the Christ is salvation. Are we ready for Christ at the end of our lives? The Baptist tells us to put the axe to the root, share out coats, be content with our money, don’t bully. How will I bring salvation to others today? How is Christ evident in my ministry? If there is a chance to share with others what you have seen and heard in your prayer, Scripture, Advent hymns, and so on? Go tell what you have seen and heard!!
“In my own flesh I fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of his body, the church” (Col. 1:24). The purpose of the Church Year is to fill up what is lacking in us until we pattern our lives fully on Christ. No Advent should be like the one before. How are we more like Christ this year? What events of this past year will help us appreciate the Incarnation more? Certainly our lives are filled with repetition. Some are very meaningful like the annual Advent wreath or the decades-old ornaments we put on the Christmas tree. Others are simply necessary. Read; Do the dishes; make the bed; take out the trash on Mondays. Whatever action we choose today has potential for filling up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of his body. As you do something repetitive today that is fairly mindless, focus on the impact your actions have on Christ’s Body, the Church.
How many Hallmark movies have you watched this season? Have you noticed that a single star often marks the climax or denouement? Ever since a star guided the Magi, the star plays a central role in the Christmas story. The Bethlehem star heralded the Light of the World. The Magi found the Light and returned home. We have found the Light and keep journeying toward the Light who is our eternal home. Perhaps we’ve gone through childhood and young adulthood, professional life, maybe retirement. We’ve gone up mountains and into valleys. We’ve crossed deserts and seas. One step after another in the direction of the Star. We set out to seek him years ago with faith that we know God will be found. The light of the star always has a direct line to your heart. Feel the warmth of God touching your heart, obey your heart, set out again on your life’s journey to the Star who advances before you.
John the Baptist does all he can to make sure the people of his time recognize the Messiah when he comes. For us people of the 21st century, we know that the Messiah has come, but he is still coming. Even when Christmas Day dawns, the Christ will still be coming. It is always Advent, and we are always waiting for God who is always coming into our lives. Eternity still awaits us, and so we walk on pilgrimage. The Baptist didn’t live at home; he lived in the wilderness. We, too, are not in our true home. We live in the wilderness. But we are not alone. We live in the here-and-now and the not-yet. God is with us every step of the journey to eternity. Our cry in the wilderness must be “Make straight the way of the Lord!” What we do today and throughout the rest of Advent—and Advent is our whole lives—will let people know God when he comes. We will know him when we recognize God today in family, friends, and neighbors. See the face of Christ in stores and in zoom gatherings. See the Suffering Christ in those who cannot be with families, in the sick, in over-taxed medical professionals. See the Radiant Christ in the joyful face of a child and the patient face of an elder. Even amid a pandemic wilderness, we can rejoice that God is here!
The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe falls on a Saturday this year, making it easier to celebrate with music, color, dance, and festive foods. The story of Juan Diego and Mary’s appearance to him is very dear to many in the Americas. Just leave it to Our Lady to appear to the poorest of the poor—as she so typically does. Just leave it to Mary to give an undeniable sign—roses in winter and her own indelible image! Just leave it to Mary to proclaim God “who lifts up the lowly” in her Magnificat. She’s always there for us. She always does it right. She knows how to kiss the hurt. After all, she’s our Mama.
Advent rolls past, present, and future into one. The Advent Mass readings are like the Church’s scrapbook as we see prophets like Isaiah, kings, Elizabeth, Zachary, John the Baptist—people of the past looking to the future Messiah. The Second Coming is always before our eyes, as we are reminded that we “do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Mt. 24:42). And we live in the present, aware that Christ comes in mystery through every moment of our lives. Think back over the past few days to discover how often God has come to you in his Word, in the Eucharist, in the advice of a friend, in the lyrics of a song, in the smile of an elder, in the hug of a child. In every moment of every day God surrounds us with grace.
Post of December 9th: Today’s Gospel starts out with a cozy feeling. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” What sounds like a warm flannel blanket turns quickly into a wooden yoke that chafes. But even wearing a yoke, Jesus informs us, “you will find rest for yourselves.” But then I think that a yoke ties me to another taking away my freedom. True, the companion in my yoke is Christ, who promised an easy, light burden. But still I may feel a bit resentful about losing my independence. The passage seems like an extended oxymoron. Easy load. Light burden. Rest when hitched to a plow. And we can set this little passage into the whole Gospel, which could be considered an extended oxymoron. The last shall be first. The first shall be last. To save your life, lose it. We die to live.
With Christmas approaching we may watch our weight to enjoy the season’s goodies. While Advent may be a time to watch our weight, it’s a time to wait in watch, to watch for the many comings of the Lord. Advent, like an alarm clock, awakens us to all the good things we can do in this season. Are we awake? Be like the watchman who waits for the dawn. Be on the lookout for opportunities to share your faith, give your service, or have a few extra minutes to pray. In these ways and many others ways we can find the coming of the Lord throughout the day. Watch for God’s coming in your family, coworkers, Scripture, songs, newscasts, the excitement of children, and more.