| "This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true." John 21:24 |
| “The Post and Courier” December 2, 2007 “Season reminder of what’s to come” By The Rev. Jeff Kirby |
We seem to live a lot of our lives in the future. Each of us has pressing concerns or approaching events that inspire or provoke us to
worry, assess, and prepare for what might be coming.
Such thinking can oftentimes make us miss what’s happening in the here and now. If we always live in the future, how can we
appreciate the lives we’re living now?
This is one of several questions that is raised by the season of Advent. Today, various Christian communities have begun the
observance of the four-Sunday-long Advent waiting. With the peace and joy of Christmas in the air, however, Advent is oftentimes
overlooked and forgotten. But it has an important place in our seasonal festivity. What is the reason and importance of this season?
What is its important message for the non-believer and Christian believer in our day and time?
The Advent season reminds people and societies that time is not eternal, and that each of us must determine for what, or who, we will
live. Each person is called to discern and affirm what they believe and allow these convictions to shape and mold their lives. Advent
heralds this important reminder.
Advent, more properly, summons the Christian believer to reread and relive the great events of salvation history in their own lives. It
challenges them to open themselves to the spiritual workings of God in history and in their own lives.
Advent is more than just a time of preparation for Christmas. And it doesn’t simply call the believer to prepare for the future return of
Jesus Christ in glory. Above these purposes, Advent makes present today the ancient expectancy of the Messiah and allows the believer
to experience it in himself.
It also shows the believer the glimpses and foretastes of the future coming of Christ in the world of today. The season offers the
believer the anticipation of the past and the hope of the future while emphasizing the importance of each person living these truths here
and now.
The joy of Christmas can be empty without the hope of Advent, and the new year can be hollow without the story of the past. Advent
seeks to be one voice in the festivities of the season.
If maturity can be gauged by a person’s roots and wings, then Advent is a help and encouragement towards growth in maturation, as
well as in goodness and holiness.
It’s a call to live today the awesome story of Jesus Christ and its conclusion. It’s a summons to be fully human and completely alive.
The Rev Jeff Kirby is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston. Visit his Web site at: www.jeffrey-kirby.com.
worry, assess, and prepare for what might be coming.
Such thinking can oftentimes make us miss what’s happening in the here and now. If we always live in the future, how can we
appreciate the lives we’re living now?
This is one of several questions that is raised by the season of Advent. Today, various Christian communities have begun the
observance of the four-Sunday-long Advent waiting. With the peace and joy of Christmas in the air, however, Advent is oftentimes
overlooked and forgotten. But it has an important place in our seasonal festivity. What is the reason and importance of this season?
What is its important message for the non-believer and Christian believer in our day and time?
The Advent season reminds people and societies that time is not eternal, and that each of us must determine for what, or who, we will
live. Each person is called to discern and affirm what they believe and allow these convictions to shape and mold their lives. Advent
heralds this important reminder.
Advent, more properly, summons the Christian believer to reread and relive the great events of salvation history in their own lives. It
challenges them to open themselves to the spiritual workings of God in history and in their own lives.
Advent is more than just a time of preparation for Christmas. And it doesn’t simply call the believer to prepare for the future return of
Jesus Christ in glory. Above these purposes, Advent makes present today the ancient expectancy of the Messiah and allows the believer
to experience it in himself.
It also shows the believer the glimpses and foretastes of the future coming of Christ in the world of today. The season offers the
believer the anticipation of the past and the hope of the future while emphasizing the importance of each person living these truths here
and now.
The joy of Christmas can be empty without the hope of Advent, and the new year can be hollow without the story of the past. Advent
seeks to be one voice in the festivities of the season.
If maturity can be gauged by a person’s roots and wings, then Advent is a help and encouragement towards growth in maturation, as
well as in goodness and holiness.
It’s a call to live today the awesome story of Jesus Christ and its conclusion. It’s a summons to be fully human and completely alive.
The Rev Jeff Kirby is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston. Visit his Web site at: www.jeffrey-kirby.com.