R.E. news: ADVENT

Second Sunday of Advent - What is Advent exactly?

Advent is the period of preparation before Christmas. It is named from the Latin word Adventus meaning coming. The period of Advent begins on the Sunday four weeks before Christmas with a gospel that looks forward, not to the coming of Christ in history, nor to the coming Christmas feast, but to the coming of Christ at the end of time.

The Messiah – Isaiah of Jerusalem (c. 742– 700 BC) hoped that God would bring about peace and salvation politically through the kings descended from David. He looked forward to a king who would meet the ideal; an expectation that developed into the great hope for a Messiah, the anointed one of God, whose reign would initiate an era of peace, stability and freedom for Israel.

Jesus Christ’s followers saw in Jesus the messianic prophecies fulfilled – they began to call him the Christ, a Greek word with the same meaning as the Hebrew word Messiah – anointed. They began to understand the Kingdom of God, not in a political way but as a spiritual reality which would have immense implications for Christians in whatever political, religious or social context they lived.

The Advent Candles

The second candle is the candle of peace. 

One of the hallmarks of the Christmas story is when the angels appear to the shepherds and proclaim, “Peace on earth,” in Luke 2:14. 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,    

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Jesus brought about peace, in the most unexpected ways, when he arrived. The Jews, particularly the zealots, wanted a rebellion. They wanted their Savior to overturn the oppressive rule of the Romans and bring about peace in a violent way.

A short prayer for the second week of Advent:

Heavenly Father, Lord of All, 

come and fill this world with your peace. 

May there be an end to hatred and division among your people. 

Cease all the fighting and war in this world. 

Heal the bitterness and hurt in my own heart. 

In this season of Advent, 

prepare my heart for the coming of Jesus, 

our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Fill my heart with your peace which passes all understanding. 

For of the greatness of his government and peace, 

there shall be no end. 

Amen.

Kind regards, 

Ru Lameijn - rlameijn@sjvmulgrave.catholic.edu.au