Season of Advent

Advent is traditionally a season of remembering and hoping, remembering how the people of the Old Testament had longed for a new beginning, for a Messiah, and learning from them how to live with hope in a wintry world. The term ADVENTUS meant COMING or ARRIVAL. When Christians began to use this term they used it to refer to what they celebrated at Christmas, the advent of our God in poverty. His continuing advent especially in the sacraments, and his final advent , when he will appear visibly and lovingly among his people.

The dominant attitude evoked by the Advent and Christmas season is clearly that of Hope as we prepare to celebrate the Jubilee Year  of Hope. You and I are called to bring that hope to life as we begin Advent. Let us hope we all respond in a good way to the Spirit of Advent.