Fr Xavier Writes 3rd December 2023
The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new church year. Amidst all our excitement of preparing for Christmas we make a real preparation for the deeper meaning of Christmas itself that is God’s presence among his people in the person of Jesus Christ. His coming on Christmas Day fills us with hope and gives us encouragement that our lives are secure because it is in God’s hands.
It’s the echoed message that we are to be on our guard, and stay awake because we never know when the time will come. It’s a grim reminder that a day of reckoning lies ahead. The real challenge of Advent is to prepare ourselves in body and soul for that great moment. Life is incomplete without God and we are useless and inadequate without his presence.
Advent makes us aware of our need to turn to God in hope and humble prayer, begging him to save us. It’s a time for soul searching and renewal, for becoming more conscious of our sins and asking pardon and forgiveness. Christ coming into the world doesn’t hold much importance if he is not at home and alive in our hearts. Above all, Advent is a season when as Christians we reach out to the disadvantaged and bring them the joys of Christ.
We are invited to listen to the voice of God in the countless ways he speaks to us. It is in and around every corner, at work, on the street, while we are with friends or at home in the dull routine of life. There is no day when he does not knock at the door of our hearts. One way we can let him in is by availing ourselves of the opportunities to serve and be neighbourly in our communities. In our journey we pass through this world once and any good we have to do should be done now. Advent is waiting for God to come into our lives; it’s also good to remember that God has been waiting for us longer than we have been waiting for him.
Wishing you all a very pleasant season of Advent.
