The importance of Advent 🎄
What is the deal with Advent you might wonder?
It is easy to forget what Christmas is truly about since it has become heavily secularised and commodified today.
So let's dive deeper into why Advent is such a significant time for us as Catholics, and explore its rich meaning and practical importance.
What's Advent All About?
Advent comes from the Latin word "adventus" meaning "coming" or "arrival," which is a season of joyful expectation and spiritual preparation. It's not just a countdown to Christmas, but a profound liturgical period that invites us to reflect on three key aspects of Christ's coming:
- Christ's first coming: We prepare to celebrate the historical event of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. (remember the nativity from primary school?)
- Christ's presence in our daily lives: We open our hearts to receive Christ more fully in the present moment.
- Christ's second coming: We anticipate Jesus' return at the end of time, as promised in Scripture.
This season aligns our hearts with God's plan of salvation, reminding us of His enduring love and promise of redemption.
Why Advent Matters?
1. God Becomes Human
Advent is all about the amazing idea that God became a person - Jesus Christ. It's like God saying, "I love you so much, I'm going to become one of you!" This helps us connect with God in a whole new human way.
2. Looking Forward with Hope
Advent is like waiting for something awesome. Just like people long ago waited for Jesus to come, we're looking forward to when He'll come back. But it's not just sitting around - it's about getting ready and being excited!
3. Changing for the Better
Advent is a great time to think about how we can be better people. It's like a spiritual makeover - we look at our lives, say sorry for the things we've done wrong, and try to live more like Jesus wants us to.
Why Should We Care?
- Spiritual renewal: Advent offers a yearly opportunity for spiritual "reset," helping us refocus on our relationship with God.
- Deepening our understanding: This season helps us grasp the profound truths of our faith, like the Incarnation and God's salvific plan.
- Cultivating virtues: Advent particularly emphasizes hope, peace, joy, and love, encouraging us to grow in these essential Christian virtues.
- Counter-cultural witness: In a world often focused on material preparation for Christmas, Advent reminds us of the true spiritual meaning of the season.
Cool Ways to Make Advent Awesome
- Light it up: Get an Advent wreath and light a candle each week. It's like a countdown to Christmas, but with more meaning!
- Read with a twist: Try Lectio Divina - it's an old-school way of reading the Bible that's actually pretty cool. Pick daily Advent readings and give it a shot.
- Fresh start: Hit up Confession during Advent. It's like a spiritual reset button before Christmas.
- Spread the love: Do something nice for others. It could be helping at a food bank, visiting lonely neighbours, or even just being extra kind to your siblings (yes, really!).
- Get to know Mary: Learn about Mary's story or try praying the Rosary. It's more interesting than you might think!
Look, Advent isn't about being perfect. It's about opening up to God's love and letting it change you. Think of it as a journey - you're getting ready to welcome Jesus into your life in a new way. So dive in, try these things out, and see how it goes. Who knows? This might be the Advent that changes everything for you!
God bless,
Mel
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