By Jeff Schinstock
Advent is upon us, and God is inviting us to enter into spiritual preparation; a time of reflection and anticipation as we await the birth of Christ. Advent is a season of waiting, a sacred time of preparing our hearts and minds for the coming of the fulfillment of all of God’s promises to us.
One way we can approach Advent is by reflecting on the four virtues that guide us during this season: hope, peace, joy, and love. These virtues are the essence of Advent; they also help us live with the liturgical season.
Hope
Advent begins with a message of hope. In the first weeks of the season, we focus, with anticipation, on Christ’s second coming while, at the same time, reflecting on his first coming in Bethlehem. Hope is the trust that God will fulfill His promises, just as He did with the coming of the Messiah.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 1817). This hope sustains us through the difficulties of life and directs us toward the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan. It is an active, confident waiting for the realization of God’s kingdom.
This is a wonderful time to nurture our hope in God and his promises. We are like the Israelites who longed for the coming of the Messiah. Hope is a necessary foundation for the relationship that comes from the Lord being among us.
Peace
The second virtue of Advent is peace. Peace is a gift that Christ brought to the world when He was born in the stable.
The Gospel reminds us that as the angels appeared to the shepherds, they proclaimed: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14). This peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of Christ himself, bringing rest to our souls and reconciliation. Peace invites us to make amends with our neighbor. Advent is a time for seeking the sacrament of reconciliation, as a way to receive the peace that Christ offers.
Joy
The season pivots toward the virtue of joy. Gaudete! Waiting for Christ’s coming is not sorrowful! The birth of Christ brings us the joy of salvation. Joy is grounded in the realization that God is with us. Pope Francis reminds us that “the joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus.”
We need to foster joy in our lives, a joy that recognizes God is near. Joy does not ignore the hardships of life, it sees beyond them because we know that Christ has entered the world.
Love
The final virtue of Advent is love, the greatest of all virtues. Love is why Jesus comes into the world.
A great Advent reminder is that God loves you. He loves you right here, right now. It is a love that first must be received before it eventually compels us to love others in return. Loving others, especially when it is difficult, invites us to a deeper union with God. Anticipating the birth of Christ prepares us to welcome Jesus into our hearts. We go about living with love and gratitude. The love we show to others during Advent reflects the love we have received from God.
This Advent, I encourage you to remember these four virtues that guide us through the season: hope, peace, joy, and love. They draw us closer to the heart of God and prepare us to receive Christ fresh and new. Through these virtues, Advent becomes not just a time of waiting, but a time of transformation—a season in which we grow in holiness and draw nearer to Jesus, who is coming to bring us life and light.
