The Advent of Christmas

 It’s the time of year when all of the Christian faithful prepare for the coming of Christ.  

Unlike pagan religions which see time as an endless cycle, Christians see time as being linear; it has a beginning and will have an end. Within Christianity’s linear, "big picture" sense of time, though, the passing of hours is experienced as cycles of meditations on holy things. Think of a spiral — of a circle of time moving ever forward toward His Coming — and you will have a sense of "Catholic time."

The Catholic year (the "liturgical year") is made special by cycles of celebrations commemorating the lives of Jesus and His mother, the angels, and the legion of Saints who modeled lives of sanctity. 

Last Sunday marked the beginning of Advent which comes from the Latin word, "adventus," which means "arrival" or "approach."  Hence, why It is the time of year when we Catholics focus on the "Coming of Christ into the world."  

What many Christians don’t know is that, although this is a season of hope, of longing and joyful expectation, it is also a time of penance.  Before Christ came into the world, suffered and died and rose again, men were exiled and banned from Heaven by Original Sin.  Knowing their fallen and sinful nature, and being hopeful of their salvation through the promises of God that He’d one day send them a Savior – the Messiah, that would free them from the bonds of sin, they prayed and fasted in repentance for His "Advent."

Likewise, Catholics (who devoutly practice their faith) reflect upon that time in history – the Advent of Christmas – in real time with a spirit of repentance, longing and hope until the Blessed day of Christ’s birth – CHRISTMAS.  It is also the time of year when we reflect upon the second Advent of Christ, when he will come again to judge the living and the dead.  

Do you know where the word Christmas comes from?  From the Catholic Church.  It means, "Christ’s Mass,"  the Mass of Christmas which is joyfully and merrily (although solemny) celebrated on Christmas day to commemorate the Birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  

Whether people choose to believe it or not, changes nothing.  I may choose not to believe that a tree is a tree because I have the freedom to choose what I believe, but it doesn’t change the fact that is a tree and nothing else.  It is the same with Christmas.  Therefore, you won’t find me wishing anyone a "Happy Holiday," although it IS a Holiday (Holy-day), but will only hear me say "MERRY CHRISTMAS," because that is what it is.  

I wish all of you,  regardless of what you choose to believe, a happy and joyous Advent season and God’s many blessings on the day of His Son’s birth, CHRISTMAS.