Yesterday marked the beginning of the advent season. It is a new date in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church which commences on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. It ushers in a burst of excitement, emotions, nostalgic feelings; either good or bad, as Christmas and her bells fast approaches.
Advent is a time when Christians all over the world await in patient expectations the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas.
In this part of the world, Christmas in particular means a lot to us as it earmarks several days of celebrating, partying, eating and dancing, though financially constraining, the mood never dies down as some people too, use this season to intensify their prayers against the coming New Year.
“Staying awake in this ‘ember’ season is a call not to lie on our oars and not grow spiritually, but to pay adept attention to detail,” said Fr. Wisdom.
Judging from the gospel reading, we are called to stay awake and vigilant as we do not know the time when the day would come.
“As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man.” [Matthew 24: 38 – 39]
Likewise in our everyday life it is of great importance to pay attention to detail always, as that is what matters most.
For example, the difference between a finished product and one that doesn’t have a good finishing is in the extra scrutiny put in by the former.
“Listen to what is right and try to understand it. You would become wise and your knowledge give you pleasure” [Proverbs 2: 2, 10]
To stay awake this coming yuletide season, is to pray to God to provide for our needs and the needs of others, so we can be true reflections of Christ when being called upon to give charity.
So I say welcome to Advent. I pray it meets you well.
Selah!