Reflection for Sunday, Nov. 28
Anticipation
My grandparents always arrived at the same time: two-thirty, just like clockwork, every Christmas Eve. Their arrival marked the official beginning of our Christmas celebration. I would help unload their car, bringing in presents, favorite foods, and cookies. Following Mass, our entire family would play games---my favorite part of the gathering. The evening always passed too quickly; it was such a joyous time. All of December, I anxiously counted down the days and was full of anticipation.
Advent is a season of similar anticipation.
The reading this First Sunday of Advent reminds us of the anticipation that we Christians have during the season. We not only look forward to the birth of Jesus—the awesome gift of our God sharing in our humanity—but we also look forward to His coming again.
Jeremiah foretells a time when the Lord will “fulfill the promise” made to the people of Israel. On Christmas, we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus, the “just shoot” being raised up. We recall that our God truly remains with us. He dwells among us. We can have a relationship, hopefully even a friendship, with Jesus right now.
In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus shares with us a foretelling of His second coming. He reminds us to be alert and to ensure that our “hearts do not become drowsy.” He tells us to “be vigilant at all times and pray.” He does share a vision of a harrowing time; however, he offers comfort by reminding us that when this time does occur, our “redemption is at hand.”
Let us challenge ourselves to go through this Advent season filled with anticipation, putting aside “the anxieties of daily life” and remembering that we are not just preparing for Christmas, but also for Jesus to come again into our lives.
Jeff Kamradt