ADVENT—REJOICE

                Advent comes every year, the four weeks before Christmas. Every Advent, we celebrate Jesus’ coming as an infant long ago, his ongoing presence with us now, and his return in glory in the future. Advent is also a season of repentance; John the Baptist calls us to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 3:2). We know, as Christian disciples in the twenty-first century, during Advent God calls us anew to figure out how to live in relations to a world that frequently wants little or nothing to do with getting ready to celebrate the Incarnation. We are in the world, but not of the world. Our mission is to prepare the Lord’s way.

                The message we hear this Advent is a message about who God is and all God does for his people. God saves, God shelters and God protects us. God’s light triumphs, God provides nourishment, God comforts and heals. Through Advent we learn that Jesus reveals who God is.

                Our Advent task is to stay awake, to prepare ourselves for the Lord’s coming. We do not know when this will be. God calls us to respond to all those who seek healing, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and justice.

                The Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete or “rejoice” Sunday, we celebrate the joy that is ours now and in the future. As the Body of Christ we journey in joy to Christmas.