WORDS TO THE WHYS

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Meditation On Advent Themes

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Advent encompasses several key themes that guide the faithful in their preparation for the celebration of Christmas and the anticipation of Christ's Second Coming.

1. Preparation and Expectation

Advent is a period of preparation marked by a twofold expectation: the expectancy of Christ's Second Coming at the end of time; the memory of His First Coming in Bethlehem. Believers are encouraged to take stock of their life during this time and to renew their embrace of the Lord.

According to the Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year, Advent is a season of "devout and expectant delight," during which the faithful are urged to reflect on Christ's lowly beginnings and anticipate His majestic second coming.

2. Hope and Joy

Christians are urged to hold fast to the joyful hope that Christ's work of salvation will be fully realized. 

Advent is a season of joyful hope and waiting, when believers are reminded of the grace of God and the promises of faith, according to the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy. The foundation of this hope is the assurance of God's faithfulness, not just wishful thinking.

3. Conversion and Repentance

Advent also serves as a call to conversion and repentance. The liturgy often references the prophets, particularly John the Baptist, who calls for repentance in preparation for the coming of the Lord. 

Conversion is essential for believers to recognize their need for God's mercy and to prepare their hearts for His arrival. The call to "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (St Matthew 3:2) resonates throughout this season, urging the faithful to turn away from sin and towards God.

4. Vigilance and Watchfulness

As believers, we are exhorted to remain vigilant and ready for the Lord's arrival. The practice of vigilance saturates the season of Advent.

According to the Homiletic Directory, the Gospel readings for the first Sunday of Advent emphasize the importance of being vigilant because the faithful are required to be prepared for the unannounced return of Jesus Christ. The Church exhorts us to live the Faith and to engage in ongoing preparation.

5. The Incarnation

Consider the marvel of the Incarnation—the Word made flesh—during Advent. Advent liturgical celebrations focus on the importance of Christ's birth and its implications for humanity.

According to Pope Saint John Paul II, the Advent liturgy aids believers in comprehending the Christmas mystery, which "is not merely a historical event but a continual invitation to recognize Christ's presence in daily life."

6. Community and Solidarity

Advent is an opportunity for the faithful to come together in prayer, reflection, and service, embodying the hope and joy of the season. The communal aspect of Advent encourages believers to support one another in their spiritual journeys and to reach out to those in need, reflecting the love of Christ in action.

The themes of Advent—preparation, hope, conversion, vigilance, the Incarnation, and communion—serve to orient the spiritual lives of the faithful as they await the celebration of Christmas and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.

Sources

  1. Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the General Roman Calendar 39 / Pope St Paul VI
  2. Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines 96 / Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
  3. Homiletic Directory (29 June 2014) 80 / Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
  4. General Audience of 18 December 2002 2 / Pope St John Paul II
Meditation

Advent (re)orients us to the person of Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word, the Eternal Logos, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. Jesus, God, made Himself vulnerable. For love of man, He made Himself vulnerable to save us from our sins. By the power of the Holy Ghost, the Eternal Word was conceived in the womb of His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary rendered herself vulnerable to the love of God. She made herself vulnerable by being receptive to God's will and to His Presence. Her complete or perfect "yes" to God's invitation to bring forth the Saviour was possible because she was freed by God from the corruption of original sin from the moment of her conception. Her love was, therefore, perfect. Her assent, then, to God's invitation, was perfectly free.

Advent is the season of family. We see in the Holy Family God's chosen doorway to the communion of Divine Persons. The love of God for man was manifest through Mary, the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Family - Mary, Joseph and Jesus - reveals the true family designed by God. Jesus is the heart of every Catholic family, of every Catholic community. Jesus is the Door to salvation. He is the Way.

Further Reflection

The Church reminds us that... .

The relationship between the Holy Family of Nazareth and the Holy Trinity is a profound aspect of Catholic theology, emphasizing the nature of family as a reflection of divine communion. The Holy Family, consisting of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, serves as a model for all families, embodying the virtues of love, fidelity, and unity that are central to the Christian understanding of family life.

The Holy Family as a Reflection of the Trinity

The Holy Family is often viewed as a microcosm of the Holy Trinity, which consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In this light, the family is seen as a communion of persons, mirroring the divine relationship within the Trinity. Pope Francis articulates this connection by stating that the family is entrusted to a man, a woman, and their children, forming a communion of persons that reflects the union of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (1). This understanding highlights the importance of love and mutual support within the family, which is essential for its role in the broader context of the Church and society.

The Role of Love in the Family

The essence of the family, as derived from the Holy Family, is love. Pope Saint John Paul II emphasizes that the family has the mission to guard, reveal, and communicate love, which is a living reflection of God's love for humanity (2). This divine love is not merely an abstract concept but is manifested in the daily lives of family members through acts of kindness, support, and sacrifice. The Holy Family exemplifies this love through their experiences of hardship and joy, demonstrating that true family life is characterized by the courage and fidelity with which members face trials together (3).

The Domestic Church

The concept of the family as the "domestic church" is central to Catholic teaching. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Church is nothing other than "the family of God," and from the beginning, the core of the Church has often been constituted by families who have embraced the Faith together (4). The Holy Family serves as the prototype for this domestic church, where prayer, education in faith, and the sharing of life are integral to its mission. Pope Benedict XVI notes that the Holy Family became the first model of the Church, where interpersonal relationships are transformed through the presence of Jesus (5).

Challenges and Virtues

The Holy Family was not exempt from challenges; they faced poverty, danger, and persecution, which are realities that many families encounter today (3). This aspect of their life serves as a reminder that the measure of a happy family is not the absence of difficulties but the love and faithfulness with which they confront these challenges. The Holy Family's experiences encourage families to cultivate an environment of prayer and support, fostering a deeper relationship with God and one another (6).

Conclusion

The love, unity, and dedication of the Holy Family of Nazareth to one another serve as a powerful example for all families, embodying the nature of the Holy Trinity. Church teachings place a strong emphasis on the role that families play as domestic churches that foster the virtues of community, love, and faith. By looking to the Holy Family, families are invited to embrace their mission of love and to mirror the divine communion that exists within the Trinity.

Sources
  1. Amoris Laetitia 29 / Pope Francis
  2. Redemptoris Custos 7 / Pope St John Paul II
  3. Apostolic Journey to Kenya: Eucharistic Concelebration at Uhuru Park in Nairobi (19 September 1995) 6 / Pope St John Paul II
  4. CCC 1655
  5. General Audience of 28 December 2011 / Pope Benedict XVI
  6. Amoris Laetitia 30 / Pope Francis

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