What does Advent mean?

We so often hear rather glibly that Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas but what does that mean?

Work out the invitation lists as to who is coming for Christmas dinner, getting the kids to put up the Christmas tree, or running through a checklist of ensuring all the kids and ‘relos’ have presents, making plans for a family holiday.

Is that it? Is that what Advent is about? Or is there something more? The season of Advent has been around for a long time. The focus is on the two comings of Christ. As Christians we believe that Jesus will come again ‘to judge the living and the dead.’ Some think that day is not too far away but we will leave that in God’s hands, not much point in speculating about that but being ready for it nevertheless.

The first Sunday of Advent has the second coming very much in view. And the next few weeks we focus on the first coming, that time in history when ‘the word was made flesh, he lived among us and we saw his glory (Jn:1.14). Advent is very much about preparing to celebrate that momentous event we call the incarnation, when God entered our human world and transformed it by his life, death and resurrection.

This special liturgical season demands attention.

We had a beautiful Liturgy in the chapel this week marking Advent. We prayed ‘Gracious God, fill our hearts with hope and love so that we may be prepared to receive your beloved Son.’ We lit the first candle of our specially made Advent wreath.

The wreath is a circle, no starting point or end point, like God’s love for us, never ending. The greenery contains leaves of evergreen trees, trees that remain green through the long winter months, symbolising again God’s eternal love for us.

There we are; Advent is a time to ponder, a time to reflect, a time to take stock of our lives and make the changes needed to prepare well for Christmas.

Fr Peter Rankin, SDB - Dominic College Rector