An Advent Event??

Part II: Conversion!

Although it does not celebrate an actual event, Advent does point to an event, or two events to be precise. The Parish Liturgy Handbook from the Archdiocese of Baltimore reminds us, "The four weeks of Advent are, of course, a time to prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ. But it is also a time in which the readings remind us that each liturgical year looks forward to a second coming. (It) places us in the 'end time' or in 'eschatological time' -- the time of the Kingdom, and of Christ's final victory. Our Advent prayer is always, 'Thy Kingdom come!'"

The Gospel readings of Advent focus on specific themes. Advent I: Christ's second coming (flowing smoothly from the previous week's daily readings about the end of time), Advent II & III: John the Baptist, Advent IV: preparatory events for the Lord's birth. The Old Testament readings are prophecies about the Messiah and messianic times, especially those taken from Isaiah. The New Testament readings contain exhortations and instructions on various themes of the season.

Robert Longenecker writes, "The Old Testament prophets were captivated by the thought that God would send a Savior but they did not live to see Him. We have 'seen' but are not captivated. Perhaps for us Christ is too easily accessible; we do not need to wait, to yearn, to long for His birth. We take Him for granted."

Advent is an event; it is the conversion of a people, conversion to a novel idea. We, in our fast-paced, high-tech, gotta-have-it-now society, are not much different from the Old Testament prophets. We, too, need to await the coming of the Messiah. How little we appreciate this.