November 27, 2011 - First Sunday of Advent

(For this year, allow me to present to you little by little the Catechesis I made for the Season of Advent)

Introduction

September 1 in the Philippines is the start of Christmas. Malls set-up their Christmas decors, radios play Christmas songs, houses are getting ready for the season with their Christmas tree and lanterns, and, much more, people are counting days for the great season. Is this just? Is this correct?

Filipinos are Christmas people. We already got the identity as the country that has the longest celebration of Christmas. Because of the spirit that marks our identity, the Season of Advent is just a dot for our calendars, and, even, others have no idea what Advent is all about.

This paper intends to relive the spirit of Christmas, a spirit that is faithful to the Church and to the Roman Rite, but with a touch of being Filipino. How must we understand Advent and Christmas in the context of our culture without setting aside our Roman Catholicism?

The Theology of Advent and Christmas 

"Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.” (Mark 13: 33)

This statement from the Gospel of St. Mark, which we read last first Sunday of Advent, manifest to us two meanings what is Advent all about: (1) a time to be watchful, a time to be alert, and (2) the time of the Lord’s return will come.

The first, “a time to be watchful, a time to be alert,” summoned the gospels of 32^nd, 33^rd and of Christ the King Sunday. We need to be prepared because someone will come. Advent is a time of preparation.

Second, “the time of the Lord’s return will come,” is what we need to prepare for. We need to prepare for two comings: the anniversary of the first coming of Jesus on earth, which we celebrate during Christmas, and his second coming, the parousia which we need prepare now.
 
“Prepare for his coming!” this is what advent is all about.