WE’RE EXPECTING!

The First Sunday in ADVENT

30 November, AD 2008

TEXT:  St. Matthew 21:1f

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen.

“All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, ‘Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.’ . . . And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, ‘Hosanna to the son of David:  Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.’” (St. Matthew 21:4-5, 9).

          One of the greatest joys in this life is to hear from a married couple the phrase, “We’re expecting.”  It calls to remembrance all sorts of happy feelings and personal reminiscences when a new life enters this world for those who are the parents, grandparents, and for all the members of a particular family and friends who are a part of that blessed event.  It confirms the love that a man and wife have for each other.  It carries on that particular family’s progeny, and, most of all, it brings hope – hope for and in the future.  The coming and subsequent birth of a child into this world is possibly the single most powerful event in the life of human-kind that continuously reflects the Love and Providence of God to all His people on earth next to the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ, Himself.

            It is, therefore, no accident, that the Season of Advent rings out with a message of expectation as well.  As Advent signifies new beginnings, in particular, the beginning of a new Christian Year, so, too, does the expectation of the birth of a child; bringing with it a sense of joyous anticipation, patient waiting, and a sense of fulfillment when the child actually arrives.  For those same feelings of hopefulness and anticipation that are manifest in a couple’s life when they realize that they are expecting, are again this day reflected in our lives on this first Sunday of Advent.  We are expecting a child, also; but more than just any child, the child of Bethlehem.  And more than the child of Bethlehem; the One who ultimately would be our Judge, King, and Saviour as well.

          Following the Lectionary during the season of Advent, we will be exposed to the timeless message of the ages regarding the coming and birth of the One who is the Saviour of the world.  Today, we hear of His coming – more precisely, His coming into Jerusalem where the people loudly proclaimed Him their King and Messiah.  And while the message of Advent would not be complete without that aspect of arrival, Advent brings with it other depictions of “coming” or consummation as well.

          Next week the Gospel speaks of signs in the stars and the moon which announce the coming of the Judge of all Creation – a second powerful theme of Advent; as we await the time when both the Living and the Dead will stand before the Throne of the Omnipotent Lord God and we will be judged for all that we did and all that we left undone here on earth.  The third and fourth Sundays in Advent focus upon the forerunner, St. John Baptist, who calls our attention to the long-awaited and expected Messiah, who, in the person of Jesus Christ opened the Kingdom of Heaven to all who would believe in Him that we might have a foretaste of God’s Love and Life here on earth now, abundantly.  And finally on Christmas Eve we encounter the great mystery of the Incarnation; how God entered, physically, into our human history and existence and began the advent-ure of our redemption and salvation – the recollection and remembrance of which begins, anew again today. 

          It’s really unfortunate that in today’s society this message of joyous preparation and expectation is overshadowed by a rush to Christmas.  This year, I heard the first Christmas advertisement the day before Halloween, as if to say, “Hurry up!  It’s almost Christmas, you’ll be too late if you don’t start now!”  which not only ignores the holiness of the Advent season and what it means, but sets the throngs into a sort of holiday panic mode making them deaf and blind to the significant and spiritually fruitful realities which Advent holds for each of us.  It’s not that we should not prepare for or enjoy the beauty of the Christmas season during which we, as Christians celebrate the birth of Our Lord and Saviour, but just as the Blessed Mother’s pregnancy took a full nine months to reach fruition during which time she prepared for that special birth, it behooves us as Christians to at least give four weeks of spiritual preparation time to the coming of God to us.  Afterall, that’s what the name Emmanuel means – God with us!

          Perhaps the Gospel for this First Sunday in Advent is meant to remind us of that fact – that while Jesus Christ entered the Holy City of Jerusalem triumphantly as an adult King, He first entered this world and our history as the Babe of Bethlehem; and all that led up to that Triumphant entry into Jerusalem had to have been prepared for.  Therefore, as we, once again, begin this season of expectation and hope in the Church’s life, my prayer is that we would open wide the gates of our heart, prepare Him room as the great hymn proclaims, and await Jesus’ coming as the Babe of Bethlehem and when He comes again as the Saviour, Judge, and King of our soul.  May God bless you and strengthen you to keep a Holy Advent season this year.

And now, unto God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost be ascribed all might, majesty, power, and dominion as is most justly due this day both now and forever; world without end.  Amen.

                                                                   SOLI DEO GLORIA - JEU