Beyond Christmas Lights: Advent and the Lord Who Comes


What is Advent?

The word Advent means “Coming.” It marks the four-week period preceding the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. For Christians, Advent is a season of preparation — not only for the celebration of His birth, but for an ever more intimate encounter with Him in our lives.

When we come to visit a friend, our presence deepens the relationship. In the same way, Christ’s coming at Christmas is not about His absence beforehand, but about His desire to be ever more personally present to His people. Advent is an invitation to open ourselves more fully to Him, to share our human condition with the One who comes in loving care.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20, NABRE)

As friends and lovers grow closer by opening their hearts to one another, so too are we called to open ourselves to Christ. Our preparation for His coming should consist in this greater openness — allowing Him to dwell more deeply within us.

By preparing for the Lord’s coming year after year at Christmas, Christians also prepare for His final coming, which will be decisive for each of us and for all humanity. Advent is therefore both a season of joyful expectation and of solemn readiness: Christ has come, Christ comes now, and Christ will come again.

Advent as Preparation

Advent is not passive waiting. It is active preparation — prayer, repentance, and acts of charity that open our hearts to Christ’s presence. The Church calls us to embrace the liturgical rhythm of hope, peace, joy, and love, symbolized by the four candles of the Advent wreath.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
Come ever more deeply into our hearts this Advent.
Grant us the grace to prepare with joy and vigilance.
Through Mary, Your Mother, and St. Joseph, Guardian of the Church,
may we be ready for Your coming — now and at the end of time.
Amen.


Advent candles glow,
Christ draws near with tender light,
Hope renews the soul.

Location: Hollywood, FL 33025, USA

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