 Preparation
for Christmas is an important theme for Advent,
but more is involved. Advent gives us a vision
of our lives as Christians and shows us the possibilities
of life.
The vision of life that Advent gives us is twofold;
it looks back to the first coming of Christ at
Bethlehem, and it looks to the future when Christ
will come again. In the interval between these
two events we find meaning for our life as a Christian.
First we celebrate Christ-become-human. We view
his life and experience his presence as a human
being in our history. Christ came to show us what
life can and should be. He gave us true and valid
principles by which we can live true and valid
lives. But Jesus knew that the human heart could
not live in isolation. He formed the Church around
the concept of a people held together by love.
In that community we discover unlimited possibilities
and meaning. Alone we can do nothing. Together
we find real meaning.
When Christ left this earth, he did not abandon
us. He remains with us in his Spirit, the Church,
the sacraments, the Scriptures and each other.
He lives in community with us and keeps his vision
of life before us.
When Christ comes again, his presence will no
longer be hidden behind the signs and symbols
of the liturgy or the words of the Scriptures.
His presence among us will be revealed in all
its fullness, a presence that will never end,
a presence that will perfect and complete our
community.
This is the "greater significance" of
Advent. In these few short weeks we take in the
sweeping panorama of time - from Christ's birth
to his Second Coming. The season of Advent brings
us the magnificent vision of life and hope for
the future given to us by Christ.
Advent is our time to become more involved, more
caught up in the meaning and the possibilities
of life as a Christian community. Thus we are
preparing not only for Christmas but also for
Christ's Second Coming. This means that when he
comes again, we will be awake and watchful. He
will not find us asleep.
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