The lights, trees, decorations and seasonal music that are all around us provide ample reminders that Christmas is coming. True Christians know that it is important to prepare for the coming of Jesus, and not just of Christmas. Advent exists to prepare us for His coming.
We can focus our reflections on this Advent theme in terms of the past, present and future "comings" of Jesus: in history, in mystery and in majesty. The most familiar Advent theme is one of preparing to celebrate the historical coming of Jesus. It was that coming that laid the foundation for the others as Jesus became man, walked among us, instructed us, fed us, and established a Church as the steward of His spiritual gifts.
The Christmas season, which extends well beyond Christmas Day, is the period designated for honoring the coming of Jesus in history. We are able to relate most easily to the historical events surrounding Jesus’ birth because they have been recorded in the Scriptures and celebrated for centuries.
Jesus’ coming in mystery is a bit more difficult to grasp, since we are dealing with spiritual realities, not just physical ones. The most familiar way that Jesus comes to us ‘in mystery’ is in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the most profound context in which we can enter into and participate in the coming of Jesus in mystery. Immediately after the Consecration at Mass, participants profess together "The Mystery of Faith," an acclamation that brings together the historical life, death and resurrection of Jesus, His future coming in majesty, and His Sacramental entrance on the altar just moments earlier.
Jesus’ coming in mystery joins time to eternity, heaven to earth, and humanity to divinity. Those of us who are privileged to receive Communion at Mass allow this mystery that takes place at the church altar to become present also on the altar of our souls. The holy season of Advent is as much about preparing our souls spiritually for this wondrous miracle to transform us internally as it is about preparing our social calendars for the public celebration of Christmas.
Finally, as the early Advent readings remind us, Jesus will come again in majesty. Indeed, it will be another historical event, but very unlike His first coming to earth. Earlier He came in humility; later He will come in majesty. Earlier He came to establish the Church Militant and extend invitations; later He will fill out the heavenly Church Triumphant by means of the Last Judgment. The message we hear consistently from Jesus is that we must always be prepared spiritually for His final coming, not allowing ourselves to be unduly concerned with worldly realities while neglecting heavenly ones. Our salvation depends upon such awareness.
The traditional Advent prayers, "Come, Lord Jesus" and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" are answered as often as we open our minds and hearts to receive Him—in Word and Sacrament. We should provide ourselves with ample opportunities to read, hear and meditate upon Sacred Scripture while striving to participate in Mass as often as possible. May our final days of this holy season reflect an authentic spirituality of desire for Jesus to come again, not only in final glory, but frequently ‘in mystery’ to sanctify our souls and to direct and fulfill our daily lives.
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