Dear Christ the King,
As we begin this Advent season, a time of spiritual preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas perhaps an argument could be made that Advent should not be a season we only celebrate in late November and December, but that in practice should celebrated year-round. The Advent season is a period in anticipation of the celebration of the Nativity, of Jesus birth and incarnation as God became man. The moment in history where God in his great love and mercy came to earth and dwelt among us. But of course, the date of Christmas is just an approximation of when Jesus was born and while it serves as a fitting time to celebrate his coming the date itself and therefore the Advent season preceding it is simply a celebration of the anniversary of his coming. However, if we celebrate the simple anniversary of his coming with 4 weeks of preparation and anticipation, then how much more should the spirit of Advent impact our lives as we anticipate his actual coming into our lives in the flesh, body, blood, soul, and divinity, in the Eucharist. For if we see fit to spend a season marked with wreathes and candles and purple vestments in anticipation of the celebration of a historical event how much more should we anticipate the actual event that occurs at every mass. In communion Jesus comes to us more personally and intimately than through our simple recognition of the anniversary of the event of his birth. His coming to us in the Eucharist IS THE EVENT and we should prepare for each and every reception with a sense of awe and anticipation. Recognizing that the fulfillment of his purpose in coming to earth to dwell among us is a reality for us in a spectacular way. When we reenact not his birth but the salvific act of his passion death and resurrection in the reception of the very body that came to earth and was offered for our salvation. And so, as we enter into this time of prayer and preparation, as we begin the new church year, let us make a resolution to seek to grow in our appreciation for that real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. For if we do, then it will truly be a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Deacon Joe
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