By Sister Mary Fitzgerald, SSND
Isn’t it amazing? While the days are getting shorter and the nights are growing longer and colder, hearts are getting lighter for many persons of Christian faith.
Part of it is surely because of what we learned as young people: Advent proclaims the coming of God into our midst.
But, do we need an Advent?
Do we need God to be recognized and welcomed in our midst?
Pope Francis said, in a 2018 Angelus address, "Advent invites us to a commitment to vigilance, looking beyond ourselves, expanding our mind and heart in order to open ourselves up to the needs of people, of brothers and sisters, and to desire a new world."
We are called to Advent, as much for others as for ourselves.
So, we will use our Advent wreaths and mark the 4 weeks.
We will lift up our hearts as we light the rose-colored candle to signify Gaudete Sunday, getting closer to the celebration of Christmas.
Between December 17 and Christmas Eve, we will pray the O Antiphons with the Magnificat, a custom which dates back to the eighth century.
We will put up our Christmas trees and place our nativity scenes near them.
Until then, how might we bring Advent hope to the lonely, to shut-ins, to the sick, to the elderly, to the homeless, to prisoners, to those addicted to drugs or alcohol, to those among our families and friends who are downtrodden and disheartened?
This Advent, can we find time to place a phone call, to send an email, to write a note?
What better way to observe Advent than by carrying the message of hope to others?
