ADVENT is the four weeks before Christmas, and probably dates back to the end of the 4th century as the time of preparation for Christmas, though the length of this preparation varied during the first thousand years of the Church between three and up to twelve weeks (some going back to the autumn equinox). It seems to have originated in the Western (Latin) Church as no mention of it is found in the Eastern (Greek) Church before the 8th century, when it was celebrated only as a time for fasting and abstinence. The length of four weeks was fixed by Pope St Gregory VII (1073- 1085). Advent is a time of preparation, not only for the Christmas feast of Christ's coming into the world, but for the ultimate Christmas beyond it, of Christ's Second Coming at the end of time. It is essentially a spiritual preparation -best expressed in the words of longing for the Messiah in the ancient Hebrew prophets, especially Isaiah. This sense of longing, hope, and joy is perhaps most poignantly expressed in Isaiah chapter 9: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who dwell in a land of deep shadow a light has shone. Our liturgy identifies the coming of Christ with the gradual return of the sun after midwinter, which is how was December 25th came to be chosen as the date for Christmas. So our preparation and Christmas itself is particularly expressed by candle lights increasing in number as we approach Christmas - hence our Advent candle wreaths, developed originally from pre-Christian German pagan rituals praying for the return of the sun. So Advent is a time of spiritual joy and anticipation, and our preparation for Christmas involves a renewal of spirit sought through a sort of joyful self-discipline, undertaken both to accentuate our celebration of the coming Christmas festival and to prepare us for our final Christmas with the Lord. Our preparation should if possible include our reconciliation with God through confession, penance and absolution, and reconciliation with our families, friends and neighbors through our hospitality, our gifts, and greetings. There are many things to help us renew our spiritual joy which occur anyway during this season, like attending a performance of Handel's Messiah, or Godspell, or attending or joining in carol services or carol singing, as well as all the things we can do at home, like making little Advent Candle Wreaths for night prayers with our families, making and sending Christmas cards, making cribs and decorating our Christmas trees with lights. Advent, coming where it does, is an impossible season -who seriously has the luxury of standing still in contemplation as the world rushes by in preparation for Christmas? So here are two suggestions - Use the literature provided at mass today when you have a few quiet moments .
WEDNESDAYS 3,10 & 17 DECEMBER, OUR LADY MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH (BLUNDELL ROOM), Mm DAY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, SHARED ECUMENICAL STUDY WITH SOUP & SANDWICHES, TELL Sa. PHIL OR FR. PETER IF YOU ARE COMING (So there is enough to eat & drink!). Fr. Peter Hannah -The Parish House, 179 Derbyshire Hi/1 Rd., St. Helens, WA92LS Tel: 01744 22972 Uvetpool Roman Catholic Archdiocesan Trustees Incorporated -Registered Charlty No.232709