Second Sunday of Advent: December 10, 2023 “While we wait.”
When we were children, we used to get so excited about Christmas. We dreamed of surprises and presents. We promised our parents we would be good in the hopes that they would spoil us and reward our efforts to get better gifts. For weeks, we waited for the big day, on our very best behaviour.
We are far away from the simple, naive, pure joy of our time of innocence. Yet, Christmas still reminds us of the wonder of the shepherds and the Magi and the joy of Mary and Joseph. It has not lost its erstwhile charm. Are we going rediscover our inner child, share in the upcoming celebration of the Nativity and experience wonder at its tremendous renewal?
John the Baptist was well aware of the great difficulty of preparing adequately for the arrival of He who comes. He preached to us about the work of conversion that we need to need to undertake. We must live an internal transformation by dedicating ourselves to the Spirit of God. “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” The joy and the mystery of Christmas inspires in us the simplicity and innocence of children. It is the Spirit of Christmas that guides us on the right path of humility that makes us worthy of a gift from God. This Spirit fills us with joy and light. It makes us want to celebrate.
Advent is a time of hope. We must hope against all odds: hope even if it feels like the Church is preaching in vain; hope despite the churches that are closing. We must continue to partake in gestures of solidarity, of sharing and of consolation that bring us closer to others. Waiting for Christ, yes, while letting His words renew us from the inside, while carrying on the Good News first shared by Jesus, the Son of God. He will renew us. “Lord, let us give everything to You, even our expectations, and on the path of the unexpected, bring us Your peace. Come into our world, Lord, come. Speak to us again, Lord. Guide Your waiting people and bring us salvation.”