When I think of Advent I’m more inclined to think of hope rather than the traditional idea of the period in preparation for Christmas. Advent does indeed put us in mind of the Christmas event, the marking of a significant historical moment that we mark by identifying any event that takes place before the birth of Christ (B.C.) or after it (A.D)
For me, Advent is the time of hope where we are invited to focus on what our deepest desires for our life are. What do we hope for? How do we see our life panning out into the future? What picture do we conger up as we look to the future? What is our hope?
Václav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic said of hope: “Hope is not prognostication. It is an orientation of the spirit, an orientation of the heart; it transcends the world that is immediately experienced, and is anchored somewhere beyond its horizons.
Hope, in this deep and powerful sense, is not the same as joy that things are going well, or willingness to invest in enterprises that are obviously headed for early success, but, rather, an ability to work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed.”
To have hope is to have a vision and a pathway towards achieving this vision. For many of us, we can get caught up in the present, failing to see the bigger picture. Advent is the time to step aside from the concerns of the now, and to look ahead to the vision of possibility, a perspective of hope.
May I wish you all a truly meaningful Advent and a peaceful and happy Christmas!
David
O God, we thank you for the life of Edmund Rice.
He opened his heart to Christ present in those oppressed by poverty and injustice.
May we follow his example of faith and generosity.
Grant us the courage and compassion of Edmund as we seek to live lives of love and service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.