Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time of waiting, conversion and of hope.
- Waiting in memory of the first, humble coming of the Lord in our mortal flesh; waiting supplication for his final, glorious coming as Lord of History and Universal Judge.
- Conversion, to which the liturgy at this time often refers quoting the prophets, especially John the Baptist, ‘Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand’
- Joyful hope that the salvation already Accomplished by Christ and the reality of grace in the world will mature and reach their fullness, thereby granting us what is promised by faith and ‘we shall become like for we shall see him as he really is’. Popular piety is particularly sensitive to Advent, especially when seen as the memory of the preparation for the coming of the Messiah. The Christian people are deeply conscious of the long period of expectation that preceded the birth of our Saviour. The faithful know that God sustained Israel’s hope in the coming of the Messiah by the prophets.
- Popular piety is particularly sensitive to Advent, especially when seen as memory of the preparation for the coming Messiah. The Christian people are deeply conscious of the long period of expectation that preceded the birth of our Saviour. The faithful know that God sustained Israel’s hope in the coming of the Messiah by the prophets.