Advent Song and Reflection

12/4/2014

A choir friend of mine shared this Song with me. I am passing it on to you if it might help you place your life thus far in context to where we are and where you are about to formally enter/continue your journey with the Catholic Church.

Although we did not go to mass together on the First Sunday of Advent, I thought of our group especially during the SECOND READING. In 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9, I imagined St. Paul saying these words about YOU who are striving to join the rest of the ASSEMBLY as Catholics--and hopefully St. Paul was also describing US (we Catholics) as we join in joyful expectation the unfolding of this sacred story and celebration of the coming of the Incarnation.

The song is sung by John Michael Talbot, but the music and lyrics are by Dan Schuette. We sing a number of songs from Dan in our Gather Hymnal. If you would like a print out of the lyrics, let me know. Otherwise, I invite you to contemplate on this Song and Advent Season and on this past week's readings and the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent and answer to simple questions?
How is this Advent different than all others that you might remember before now?
What will be different about this coming Christmas Season for you?

4 Comments

Minh-Chau

12/5/2014 07:27:08 am

This advent and Christmas will be different from any of my previous as my family has always celebrated Christmas as an "American" holiday and not one of Christian origins (as odd as it may sound). We really only celebrated it as a time of gift giving and time of being together with the family. There was no true religious affliction of the celebration. It was somewhat a glorified version of Thanksgiving and a time of gift giving. This is the first time I've become familiar with Christmas in regards to the biblical and historical context. This season, I feel that I am appreciating it more for how it was actually meant to be be celebrated.

Jay

12/10/2014 01:48:41 am

It doesn't sound odd. I experienced the same thing living in Japan. The country was quite able to make it look and sound like Christmas, but without any Christian rituals or beliefs behind it. In Chapter 7 mentioned in the more recent Blog post, the author describes 19th Century Europe to be the same way. What is interesting is the difference between a believer and non-believer who may be looking at or participating in the same visual/auditory objects but for whom the symbolism/meaning is or is not there.

Karen M.

12/6/2014 09:57:27 am

This Advent will differ from my upbringing in a Baptist church because the season of Advent was not actually celebrated in the church I attended. There was not a focus on the examination of conscience or the theme of penance in preparation for the coming of the Son of God.

Previously I viewed the weeks preceding Christmas in a way similar to the way children await the coming of Santa Claus, with anticipation and excitement; the Christ child is to be born! But, now, I view this time as more of a preparation for the coming of our Savior; as an infant born to the Blessed Virgin Mary, but also to consider the significance of His inevitable second coming.

During Advent and Christmas we have the opportunity to examine our lives and our faith. We can take this time to try to ascertain our standing with God. Where are we lacking? What must we do to be better examples of the love and mercy of God our Father?

Previously, the excitement and celebration of the coming of our Savior, who offers us eternal life, was the center of Christmas for me. But, now, I also consider the importance and significance of my part in the eventual crucifixion of Jesus. I acknowledge the true gift of Christmas; to appreciate what is offered to us, and to accept this gift fully and with humility, and to be prepared to await the second coming of Christ our Lord.

12/10/2014 01:52:28 am

I assume when you say "my part in the eventual crucifixion of Jesus" you mean as this unfolds in the Liturgical Year and not that Jesus is crucified over and over again.
In any case, you are right to point out the dual nature of "The Coming" and our expectation/yearning. We share with our ancestors the same expectation that "He is coming." At the same time, we have a deeper sense of hope because "He has already come." And we also hear about the many ways God has acted in Salvation History for our Ancestors. And we look forward to "His coming on the Last Day" whenever or however that may be.

Advent Song and Reflection

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