An Advent Church: Reflection for the 4th Sunday of Advent

During the Advent season, we are called to become an Advent
Church and not simply a Church at Advent. What is the
difference? What does it mean to be an Advent Church?
First, let's talk about what the Church looks, feels, and smells
like at Advent. The official liturgical color of Advent is purple.
While the purple of Lent symbolizes repentance, the purple of
Advent is about preparing for what Saint Cyril of Alexandria
calls the twofold coming of Christ. "We do not preach only one
coming of Christ but a second as well, much more glorious
than the first. The first coming was marked by patience; the
second will bring the crown of a divine kingdom." Thus,
whereas Christmas commemorates the first of these, at Advent,
we also anticipate and prepare spiritually for the Second, final,
and glorious coming of Christ at the end of the age.

The liturgical songs and readings during the Advent season put
us in this preparation mood. On the one hand, they remind us
that our savior and messiah is sure to come, with clear
allusions to the twofold coming. On the other hand, they urge
us to be vigilant and ready to receive him when he comes.
Liturgically preparing for the yearly coming of Christ at
Christmas becomes more of a dress rehearsal for the second
and final coming of Christ on the last day.

We must also talk about the Advent wreath, adorned with the
four candles of Advent, symbolizing hope, love, joy, and peace.
Advent is the season to hope for the salvation of God. It is the
season to celebrate the love of God made manifest in the
incarnation of Christ. It is the season to joyfully prepare for the
coming of our messiah and joyfully celebrate his manifestation.
It is also the season to dwell in the peace of Christ, the prince
of peace. Like the songs and readings, the candles and wreath
of Advent help put us in the proper disposition for a fruitful
celebration of Christmas.

However, while Advent celebrates both the first and final
coming of Christ, in-between the first coming in history
enshrouded in hiddenness and mystery and his final glorious
coming at the end of time, Christ never stops coming into our
lives, our space, our history. According to Carlo Carretto, during
the season of Advent, God is adored chiefly as the God who
comes. He, however, insists that "The God Who Comes" is not
an exclusive Advent portrait. It is relevant and valid all year
round. This portrait is at the heart of what we can describe as
the spirituality of the Advent season, which must extend
beyond the four-week season. It is living this spirituality that
makes us an Advent Church.

If our God is a God who Comes, we must become a Church
waiting in joyful hope, perpetually prepared to receive God. We
must become a people of gratitude—grateful to the Lord, who
never ceases to come to us. We must also become people
constantly journeying toward God. God came to us so that we
might be able to approach God. Our ultimate destiny is to
ascend to where God is. It is to live forever in the holy presence
of God.

In addition to being prepared, we also need to be vigilant. God
often comes in the most surprising of ways. While the final
coming of God at the end of history will be glorious, the first
coming wasn't. Sometimes, God comes in the form of poor and
worn-out strangers. At other times, God comes to us armed
with a begging bowl. Without due vigilance, we would
continue to miss these manifestations of God. Prophet Malachi
warns that if we are not watchful, the God whom we expect
will suddenly enter his temple (3:1).

An Advent Church welcomes all people, reaches out, and
recognizes the presence and image of God in everyone.

- Fr. William Orbih, Parochial Vicar