“..when our Lord Jesus Christ comes”. This quote from Thessalonians tells us what Advent is about – coming. The Latin word ‘advent’ means ‘come to, coming, arrival’. As we reflect on the readings of the First Sunday of Advent, we wonder what 'coming' we are expecting.
It is twofold. The one we refer to as
Christmas – Jesus coming as a baby in Bethlehem. Christ’s coming to institute a new creation of love, mercy, justice, and divine union - the Kingdom of God. The other is the coming of Christ in glory at the world’s end. We have our hope in both.
There is a sense of looking to the future, an unknown future that offers us hope and a sense of belonging. This belonging happens in the greater awareness of God’s presence, where Christ comes
to us in human form to personally relate to us. Our experience is of the God of love, the God of compassion, the God of forgiveness. Advent is an opportunity to intentionally prepare and focus on what is far more than we could ever imagine or expect.
This time of preparation includes waiting. The waiting is not empty because there is so much to do to move our minds and hearts from the total involvement in examinations, work,
shopping, outings, etc. All of these are important too, but where on the list of priorities is my attention to the coming of Christ as the baby, Jesus, and Christ’s “coming in glory”.
Our time on earth is to find real meaning in life, learn about love, as Jesus shows us, and then return to God from whom we have all come. Our hope lies in deepening our love of God now and returning into the fullness of the loving embrace of our
Triune God, who desires all of Creation, created in God’s image, to say ‘yes’ to being included in the dance of love.
How will I prepare for God in my life this Advent?
Do I have a sense of belonging? To whom or what do I belong?
Am I ready to consider that God is at work in the world?
Reflections by Kath Knowles
