Today
is the last day prior to a new liturgical year. Tomorrow is the start
of the Church’s calendar, the 1st Sunday of Advent. It is the New Year’s
eve in the Church calendar.
The
readings of the past weeks and days have had an apocalyptic flavor.
They warn of the End Times. They speak of readiness for the coming of
the end.
This
might be puzzling especially when we know that with the Advent season,
we prepare for the beginning, the coming birth of the Messiah. The
reason is this — the beginning is useless without keeping the end in
mind. Our excitement and anticipation to accept Christ’s birth will mean
nothing unless we are ready to accept Him as Just Judge of the End
Times.
Let
us remember that we celebrate Christmas not only because we will be
having a cute baby to adore and cuddle. This is the role of the Advent
season. Advent will prepare our hearts to realize that the “cute” baby
in the manger of Jerusalem will soon become an adult that will bring
“fire on the earth.” Unless we prepare ourselves to be disturbed from
our complacency in sin and mediocrity, Christmas will be nothing but a
sentimental and emotional holiday.
REFLECTION QUESTION:
As Advent approaches, where do your thoughts and desires focus on?
