Advent: A time of Attentive Preparation and Waiting
During these weeks leading up to our Christmas celebrations, we are taking the time to prepare our homes, cleaning, decorating, and baking in anticipation of hosting guests and spending time celebrating with family and friends. Our preparations are significant of our attentiveness to our guests even long before they actually arrive at our door. As the family of God, our church home is adorned for Advent in purple fabrics. We light special candles on the Advent wreath each week and our scripture readings and music selections at Mass reflect this season of “wakeful anticipation”.
Normally, our entrance procession travels up the middle aisle each week. During these weeks of Advent, the procession will come from alternative locations. In the Gospel for this first Sunday of Advent, Jesus admonishes us to
“…Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.” (MK 13:33)
Our alternate processional route is designed to support our heightened attentiveness and the message of the Advent Gospel to be prepared, be watchful and be ready for God’s coming.
So too, you also must be prepared for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. (MT 24:44)