Dear People of God,
Greetings in the Lord. A most appropriate wish
for me as we begin this advent season to extend to you all from this writings
would be to wish you a Happy New Year. The reason is for Christians the first
Sunday of advent is the beginning of the ecclesiastical or Church year. A great
moment of attention is paid to the beginning of a new calendar year, but too
little to the beginning of the Church year. The change is noted through the
Church’s Liturgy. The green vestments of the ordinary season have been put away
and the purple ones of the penitential season of advent are now being worn.
What it means and why do we need the change? The Church aims to create a new
atmosphere, a new disposition in our souls. She creates a mood of expectancy,
of waiting, of preparation. The Church gives indication that something great is
at hand. The very word advent means coming. The coming that is so eagerly
awaited is the coming of Christ Child. How do we receive Him?
Paul reminds the Roman Christians about
two occasions: one occasion on which they first accepted the faith and the
second occasion is the present time. Paul is well aware that it is human
weakness to forget these two aspects. Hence, Paul invites the Christians
especially you and me today, to wake up at this present time and makes us to
remember our baptismal conversion always
before us. The reason is that every new day brings Christ’s return in
glory or the day of salvation one day closer. This is what the advent
highlights to all of us to get ready. When this preparation of acceptance fails
in us, we are unworthy people to celebrate the on coming Christmas. In this
advent season, the good preparation great reward as it goes with the words of
John J. McCullah,
“the
gladness of Christmas which is hope;
the
spirit of Christmas, which is peace and
the
heart of Christmas, which is love”.
God bless,
Fr.
S. Susai Raj.
