Advent in a time of pandemic

So many things are out of rhythm this year. The pandemic has upset our customary points of reference. The school year, our work environment, sports seasons, travel and holidays are all up for grabs. Even though we may be participating in Mass differently this year, the cycle of the Church’s liturgical seasons continues to offer us continuity in a time of unpredictability.

In its simple beauty, Advent is one of the richest seasons of the year. The prayers and readings at Mass as well as the hymns and antiphons of the Liturgy of the Hours invite us to quiet reflection and heightens our sense of longing as we prepare to welcome the King who comes to save us. Even for those who cannot participate in Mass in person these days, there are wonderful resources for praying with the Church and keeping Advent at home in the domestic church.

Advent is a season with memorable rituals and traditions for the home. Lighting each candle of the Advent wreath can be the occasion to gather family or friends for a moment of prayer. The child’s anticipation and joy each day upon opening another door or window of an Advent calendar reminds us why the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who become child-like. 

Precisely because the season of Advent is characterized by quiet waiting and unhurried preparation, it is easily eclipsed by the frenzy of the commercial “holiday season.” In our consumer culture, “Black Friday” has been extended to “Cyber Monday.” Some years we don’t even wait until the Thanksgiving table is cleared before the shopping frenzy begins.

Bargain hunting and the frantic pursuit of that perfect gift, the rounds of parties, decorating and travel create a level of stress and busyness that is anything but reflective. A new level of stress and uncertainty is added this year because of concern for COVID. No wonder so many people experience only exhaustion or letdown when Christmas finally arrives.

It is a pitiful and telling symptom that so many Christmas trees are already stripped and littering the curb on the day after Christmas. Was it only about the presents? The “shopping season” may be over, but the real season of Christmas is just beginning. As Catholics we celebrate the octave day of Christmas on Jan. 1 by honoring the Mother of God, and the Christmas season will reach its summit with the feast of Epiphany. The real Christmas season has been eliminated in our culture just as Advent has been replaced by a commercial substitute. What can we do? We can let Advent be Advent. And let Christmas be Christmas.

In order to celebrate such a great feast as Christmas we need the weeks of Advent to prepare ourselves properly. We need the weeks of Advent to ponder and remember God’s age-old promises and to experience the longing of the patriarchs and prophets that still finds its echo in our own hearts today. It is the longing that cries out, “Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!”

The word Advent means “coming.” During Advent, we prepare to celebrate the Lord’s coming in history when he was born of Mary in Bethlehem to save us from our sins. We also prepare for his coming again in glory when he will judge the nations with justice and turn over the Kingdom to his heavenly Father. But, there also is the Lord’s hidden coming in the mystery of his grace each day. It is a silent mysterious coming that perhaps the slower pace brought on by the pandemic will enable us to savor and appreciate. How is God manifesting his presence and care for you during these days?

Christmas is not just a nostalgic remembering of an event that occurred in a faraway place a long time ago. By remembering and pondering the mysteries surrounding the birth of Jesus, the Spirit opens our hearts to experience his coming as something new for us today! Jesus Christ was born to bring salvation into our own world, and to bring joy and hope to our hearts today!

He comes to heal a world suffering the effects of a global pandemic and to make all things new. The grace of Advent invites us to experience his coming with new hearts, as if, perhaps, for the first time. The Lord comes to us in this hidden way through his holy word. He comes in the events of his loving providence and the ordinariness of life. He comes especially through the celebration of the Sacraments by which he communicates his gift of salvation to each of us.

Advent reminds us that there is much more going on here than getting and spending. There is real reason for rejoicing. God is with us. Today!