Understanding our Advent Theme

 
The 2007 PARISH ADVENT THEME:

"Come . . . Walk in the Light of the LORD!" 

Theme for Week One

Theme for Week Two

Theme for Week Three

Theme for Week Four

Family Activities and Suggestions

Reflections on the Theme

 
LIGHT is one of the classic themes of the season of Advent. It is no accident that the Advent/Christmas season falls in December, the darkest time of the year in northern climes. Out of darkness, literally and figuratively, comes the saving light of Christ. The season is filled with reminders—from the gradually darkening days to the gradually brightening Advent Wreath—that a change is coming. The Light WILL overcome the darkness —the new life of Spring will be born as the Sun turns and the days get longer.

At first glance, these themes seem too easy - all “sweetness and light.” But we will delve a little more deeply than that during these four short weeks. The Advent Scriptures for this year are full of struggle, turmoil, movement —even the week of “peace”. We realize that peace only comes after turmoil—we can’t really know one without the other. This then leads us to think of the flipsides of these themes. Opposite to Hope is Despair, opposite to Peace is Struggle and Conflict, opposite to Joy is Pain, Opposite to Love is Desolation.

To all these human experiences, alive and well in our normal, human, everyday lives, Jesus is the antidote—the light in our darkness. Come and walk in the light of the Lord!

First Week's Theme: "Jesus, Light of Hope" 
Since Jesus ascended into heaven, body and soul, we have been people of hope, always facing upward, waiting for his return. When we are dragged down by our human weakness, we look to Christ’s strength upon the cross for courage and inspiration. When we are discouraged by the negativity or ridicule of others we look for faith and encouragement in his words as recorded in scripture. In the face of death and despair, we cling to the promise of eternal life in Christ. Jesus, Light of Hope is the beacon we follow to our future yet unrealized.

 

Second Week's Theme: "Jesus, Light of Peace" 
This weekend’s 1st reading, Isaiah 11:1-10, offers an unparalleled vision of the afterlife—an incredible place where former natural foes make peace and live in tranquility together. In the world of today we have an unconscious assumption that idyllic peace is unattainable. Yet we forget that with God, all things become possible. God turns all our assumptions and preconceptions upside down. Why should wolf not lie down with the lamb, the cow and the bear be neighbors, the terrorist and the government make peace—in God’s own time? And all led by a child—Jesus, Light of Peace. If we do not believe this, then where is our faith? 

 

Third Week's Theme: "Jesus, Light of Joy" 
For years, John the Baptist lived in the desert, surviving on locusts and wild honey, baptizing and proclaiming that the Messiah would come and that his path must be prepared. Can you imagine what his reaction must have been when his messengers reported back to him about what Jesus said (in the gospel today)? Or what it was to actually baptize Jesus, God made Man, in the Jordan. Unparalleled joy. Here is the Christ, the salvation of humanity from the darkness of Sin, Jesus, Light of Joy! How can we recapture that joy? Without a faith in Christ, what else is there? We ask ourselves in life: “Is this all there is?” What joy to find that there is so much more to life than superficiality, vanity and death!

Fourth Week's Theme: "Jesus, Light of Love" 
When we look around ourselves at our world, what do we see that is worthy of salvation. War, famine, injustice, torture (by whatever euphemism you care to use!), greed and death surround us, as they have at all times during history. Why should we think that we are any more faithful than the people of Jesus’ time. Yet that did not stop God from bestowing on us the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ, then, now and for all time. He is “Emmanuel,” which means God-is-with-us. It is all about Love, really. Love is the antidote to all the ills of humanity. We may often forget to love, individually and societally, but God never forgets, and always hopes that we might rise above our imperfection to become one with him forever. So, as we prepare to celebrate Christmas, let us keep our eyes focused on Jesus, the light of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, the Light of the World and remember that with him all these things are possible for us, no matter how dark the world might sometimes seem . . . .

Christmas: " Jesus, Light of the World"
 

FAMILY ACTIVITIES AND SUGGESTIONS

Any arts & crafts activity related to light vs. darkness, especially surrounding the tradition of the Advent Wreath.

Don’t forget to relate it to the coming of Christ, and don’t forget the White candle that represents Christmas. Also, do not loose sight of the “opposites” mentioned above . . . what does Christ save us from?

Examine the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love—all gifts from God through Christ. Examine to what degree we either have or need these gifts in our lives. Does Christ need to be born in our hearts anew this season?

Another central theme of Advent is joyful waiting and anticipation reflected in the gradual nature of the Advent of Light, liturgically and seasonally. Any activity that encompasses this idea of waiting is a good idea. The world waited for Christ to come as Messiah—we still wait for his return at the end of time! The “waiting” theme can also be related to the fact that in our consumer culture we don’t wait —we have lost sight of the season of Advent. Christmas carols are heard continually in the Malls, Santa Claus is everywhere!

Emphasize the fact that the Advent/Christmas Season in the Church lasts (this year) from December 2nd all the way to January 13th—for us it does not get thrown in the dumpster with the Christmas Tree on December 26th!

A Joyful Advent And A Merry Christmas!