Advent

As we hurtle through time, we are once again entering the season of Advent. Oh, when I was a ‘lad’ – I always looked forward to the season of Advent. The atmosphere became more ‘Christmasy’.

The tinsel emerged, the purple, gold, and silver colours. People started to put up Christmas decorations. The mood in school changed. We started planning the Christmas plays in school and also looked forward to the cakes, squash, and soft drinks that were to be had after. It was during this season that the trees were put up. Presents were also bought, wrapped and placed under the tree.

I always thought of Advent as the early onset of Christmas. Its forerunner.

It was, I think, when was in my seminary year one, or just before, that I was told Advent is a penitential period. Just like lent. Albeit shorter by two weeks, and without the mandatory fast and abstinence days of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. I must say when I heard this, I was not best pleased. I had always seen Advent as Christmas light. My bubble was burst.

Advent is indeed a time of joy. A time we know that Christ is to be born amongst us, and in which we prepare ourselves for this. Just like we do in Lent, we practice prayer, almsgiving, fasting and abstinence. Best of these being almsgiving, as it says in the office of readings for Friday week 32 (the daily prayer said by clergy and religious).

A quote from a second century sermon:

Therefore, almsgiving is good, as penance for sin: fasting is better than prayer, but almsgiving is better than both. Charity covers a multitude of sins. Prayer done with a good conscience liberates us from death. Almsgiving lifts the weight of sin.

As we approach Advent, we should use this time to prepare ourselves spiritually for Christ’s coming at Christmas. This is what the Church wants of us in this season (Catechism of the Catholic Church 524).

I had the good fortune of joining the Scripture Study group after the 12 noon Mass on Thursday. One of the members suggested that for Advent we could make up our minds to adopt a virtue, rather than give up something. I think this is a great idea. Make up your mind to work on a virtue. A task that you can continue even after Advent.

Wishing everyone a joyful Advent season.