Advent Reflection

In the catholic liturgy, advent is a season at the beginning of the calendar towards Christmas. I understood advent as a time of preparation for Christmas, the celebration commemorating Jesus’ coming on earth, and also it encourages us to prepare for His second coming. But the significance of advent in our local catholic community has always been surpassed by the pompous and festive mood in anticipating Christmas day. Even before advent season we already hear yuletide carols in the air. Well, this could be justified by saying that it is a way of preparing for Christmas. This could be the way of setting the atmosphere so that one may be disposed at rejoicing for the Lord’s coming. But at this moment of putting Christmas decors and lights, singing Christmas carols, and having Christmas parties, can we find the ambiance of preparation by way of vigilance, repentance and conversion? Perhaps for a few, who spend time in having advent recollection or just having a pure conviction of the meaning of advent, preparation is worthwhile.

During this season, John the Baptist is placed at the limelight. The forerunner declares, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! … Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths” (Matthew 3:2-3). This prophetic message reverberates in every corner of the Church whether it is listened to or not. As the Church re-echoes the call of Jesus’ precursor, I asked myself, how do I heed to this call? There are only four days to go before Christmas day and yet I could not consider myself fully prepared. But there is still a chance and I feel the Lord is not tired of giving chances. Preparation must be done constantly. Thus, I am grateful for the Lord’s inspiration in having this advent reflection. I come to the realization that preparing for the Lord’s coming is not just during the season of advent but in everyday of my life. The call of the prophet of advent is a reminder or a sort of wake-up call for the heart that has been insensitive through the years. Now is the chance to regain the vigilant and joyful anticipation of coming face to face with the Lord.

Looking back to the glitters and sounds that the secular world propagates during advent, I found myself annoyed. But on second thought, I realized that these things could be used to awaken the religious imagination. It is just on my disposition and way of understanding that the glamorous things related to Christmas could be considered as reminders. These things are pointing towards commemorating the Lord’s birth that is no less detached from his second coming. These two comings are clearly elucidated during advent. But I expect a third one which I feel could be the most meaningful at the present moment of my life. Such is Christ’s coming into my heart.

I wish for a renewed appreciation of advent. Preparing for the celebration of the Lord’s birth is valuable. Relatively of higher value is the preparation for the Lord’s second coming which nobody knows when to happen. But the most ardent is the expectation of His coming into one’s heart. Thus, preparing the heart to be the Lord’s dwelling place is indispensable. The Lord always knocks at the door of each heart and he is waiting for anyone who is ready to let him in. This heart must be prepared, be cleansed and be made level so that the One who is to come is welcomed in a noble dwelling. Thus, I pray, “Come, Lord Jesus! Take birth in my heart and create this heart to be your dwelling place.”