SacredSpace102fm : Celebrating Advent 2017

2 Dec 2017

Celebrating Advent 2017 - Keep it simple

Advent - the forgotten liturgical season in the rush to Christmas. A moment when we try to pause and remember that we waited and we are waiting for the coming of the One, the coming of the Divine Master, the one whom Isaiah prophesied "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

In a world so crying out for peace, at a time when the darkness seems to be drawing in all around us and people bow down in despair at the madness of it all, now more than ever does Advent seem needed.

A reminder to us that God has made his promise to us and never forgets his people, that there is hope, a reason for hope, a reason to keep going, a reason not to despair. For it is better to light a candle in the gloom than to curse the darkness. For the Light has come into the world, a promise has been made and he will come again.

Now more than ever we are called to be witnesses of hope, heralds like John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord for he has come, and he will come again.

Advent Credo

It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;

It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction— This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.

It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever— This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.

It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world— This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.

It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers— This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.

It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history— This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.

So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world.

From Walking on Thorns, by Allan Boesak, Eerdmans, 2004. Accessed here

Our Lady of Advent
Chalked by Sr Paul PDDM

Life is a constant Advent season: we are continually waiting to become, to discover, to complete, to fulfill. Hope, struggle, fear, expectation and fulfillment are all part of our Advent experience.

The world is not as just, not as loving, not as whole as we know it can and should be. But the coming of Christ and his presence among us—as one of us—give us reason to live in hope: that light will shatter the darkness, that we can be liberated from our fears and prejudices, that we are never alone or abandoned. May this Advent season be a time for bringing hope, transformation and fulfillment into the Advent of our lives.

- Sr Louise O'Rourke PDDM

Keeping Advent Simple - iBenedictines

I am a great believer in simplicity. Unfortunately, that usually means making a special effort, because simplicity is not the same as being casual or careless about details. To be simple is to be focused in one direction only, and that is especially true of Advent.

Advent is very short this year, barely three weeks long. Just three weeks in which to prepare for the coming of our Saviour and for the transformation of our hearts and minds! It is therefore important not to let Advent become fussy, to allow things good in themselves to clutter our way. It always grieves me when I read of people setting themselves elaborate programmes of fasting and private devotions that become ends in themselves. The liturgy of Advent provides us with all we need. To read each day with care and attention the scriptures and, if possible, the other readings the Church sets before us; to pray in union with the Church on the themes she gives us week by week; to try to live each day in accordance with the gospel — this, surely, is the best way to prepare for the coming of God. Some people will find it necessary to read something more — an Advent-themed book, for example — or to make a conscious effort to overcome the selfishness of other times — by giving help to a local Charity, for example — but these are secondary. The most essential Advent preparation is the one that changes us interiorly for the better.

So, this Advent, I confidently predict that readers of this blog will all be much kinder, especially online, where there is so much unkindness to counteract; much more thoughtful, generous and patient. Unfortunately, they will know nothing about it because their gaze will be fixed on the one who is to come into the world, not on themselves. They may even feel a failure, because they will have nothing in particular to show for all their effort. There will be no long prayers said, no devotions painstakingly performed, no acts of charity to reckon up, only a simple, loving concentration on Jesus. But could there be any finer way to spend Advent? I think not.