There are different themes emphasized during the different weeks of Advent. For the first week, we have the theme of hope. Hope at the beginning of the Advent season sets the tone for this period of anticipation and preparation. As we heard from Jesus himself in the Gospel on the first Sunday of Advent, telling us to be prepared always for the end times. Advent hope helps us look forward to the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas as well as his coming again in glory. Advent hope assures us that God is with us in the present day and that he promises us a future of peace. The blessing and lighting of the Advent wreath on that first Sunday of Advent reminds us of how Jesus brings light to the darkness of the world.
The theme of the second week of Advent is peace. Advent peace centers around the healing and wholeness that Christ brings to the world. Advent peace reminds us that Christ’s coming is meant to bring humanity into a new covenant with God and with each other. The peace of Christ is not just the absence of conflict and violence. His peace brings us lasting unity and harmony through the presence of God. The 9th chapter of Isaiah foretells Jesus as the prince of peace. Christ’s kingdom will bring justice and peace to those who follow him. The Gospel for the second Sunday of Advent brought us the call of John the Baptist baptizing the people in the Jordan River and calling them to repentance and renewal. We are called to repent for our sins and to forgive others. The Advent theme of peace calls us to reflect on the ways we can be peacemakers in our own lives, to show kindness, understanding, and forgiveness to others, to trust in God’s love and guidance.
Joy is the theme for the third Sunday of Advent, which brought us Guadete Sunday, from the Latin word for joy. We are called to rejoice in the Lord always, that the day of his birth is near. Joy is foundational to the Advent season, reflecting gratitude and enthusiasm for Jesus’ coming, for the salvation he brings to the world. This joy is beyond mere pleasure or happiness, as it reflect a profound gladness rooted in God’s love. Advent joy calls us to give thanks for God’s presence with us, for the joy that the Christmas season will bring us with the birth of our savior. We are invited to reflect this joy through acts of kindness and works of mercy, through worship and gratitude. With great joy in our hearts, we are to bring the light of Christ to the world.
The fourth theme of Advent, which we will celebrate this weekend, is love, emphasizing the profound endless love God has for humanity. Love is at the heart of our Advent and Christmas story, of God sending us his beloved son for our redemption and salvation out of love. John 3:16 proclaims to us that God so loved the world that he gave us his only begotten so. Christ’s coming into the world is the ultimate expression of that love. As we light all the candles of our Advent wreath today, we reflect upon how Jesus calls us to love one another as he has loved us. The Advent and Christmas seasons encourages us to embody God’s love in acts of mercy and forgiveness. We are to share God’s love abundantly and generously with our neighbor. As we receive God’s love in our hearts, may we prepare to welcome him at Christmastime with hearts full of gratitude and grace.
As we hear of the angel visiting Joseph today, who had decided to quietly end his engagement with Mary, when he found out she was without child, it is striking that Joseph does not speak any words in today’s Gospel narrative. In our life of faith, we do not have to be loud or to bring attention to ourselves. Joseph listens to God through the message of the angel. He prays and obeys. He quietly does what is right. Our faith does not have to be flashy or full of extravagant gestures. Joseph shows us that our faith is often lived out in the simple steady choices we make in life.
Blessings to all of you as we commemorate today the last Sunday in the Advent season and as we get ready to celebrate Christ’s birth.
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