During Advent we come in touch with the deepest longings and desires of our heart and we restore our Christian hope that the fullness and holiness and peace that we long for in our own lives, and in the life of the world, will one day come to be, because God has promised it and God keeps His promises.
In his letter to the Philippians, St. Paul puts it this way: “I am confident of this – that the one who began this good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
We are often frustrated by our own weaknesses and imperfections – we seem to always confess the same sins and we can become tempted to despair of ever growing in holiness. But Advent is a time for us to restore our hope and trust in the good work that God has begun in us, which He will one day bring to completion.
In Advent we need to grow in patience, with ourselves, and with God.
“Advent is the season of the seed. In Advent, the seed of the world’s life was hidden in Mary. Like the wheat seed in the earth, the seed of the Bread of Life was in her. Thus Advent is the season of the secret growth of Christ, of Divine Love growing in silence . . .
. . . If we have truly given our humanity to be changed into Christ, we must not disturb this season of growth. Advent is a time of darkness, and hiding, and waiting, and of faith. We shall not see Christ’s radiance in our lives yet; it is still hidden in our darkness; nevertheless, we must believe that He is in fact growing in our lives. In due season, all the fret and strain and tension will give place to splendor and peace.”
This is indeed reason for us to hope, and to pray unceasingly: Come Lord Jesus!
(quote adapted from the English mystic and author Caryll Houselander, “The Reed of God”)
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