The Beginning of the Advent Journey, Day 1

Advent marks the beginning of a new Church year, which means we once again walk the dark corridors of expectation—joining Israel in the long wait for the fulfillment of prophetic promises.

We begin today the Advental journey to Christmas morn! Dietrich Bonhoeffer captured the spirit of the season well: “The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.” For this spirit to capture us, we must know what Advent is. We cannot enter this season proud, but expectant that our hearts will long well and knowingly.

Advent is not “Christmas-lite.” It is not a preview or a warm-up. It is preparation—holy longing before holy joy. We don’t leap into Joy to the World because Joy-Incarnate has a story. Likewise, we don’t rush to Luke 2 without first walking through the Magnificat of Luke 1, sharing in Mary and Joseph’s travail, and learning to “go tell it on the mountain” like the prophets of old.

The Two Senses of Advent

In theology, we speak of the Advent of Jesus in two senses:

1. His first coming in Bethlehem, and

2. His second coming at the end of history.