Advent

[Brownginger]

During Advent, we are not preparing for the Coming of Jesus. He has already been with us for nine months. Actually, we should be anxiously waiting to see the Face of God.

The readings and the teaching of the Church are almost heretical in this regard, and with the mention of seeing the Face of God together with those that tell us to wait for the Coming, the Church is confusing two distinct and separate events.

It is no longer a matter of poetic license or suspension of disbelief or practicality (“the Annunciation is so close to Holy Week that we have to use Christmas as a surrogate feast.”) Young people honestly do not know the difference. Heck, many old people, including many priests, don’t realize that the Annunciation is a really big deal and truly think that in several weeks we will be celebrating the Coming of the Savior.

Of course, we could celebrate that event every day, and we do. But because the Church is so precise in every other aspect of the liturgy and teaching, it means a great deal that the readings and the homilies and the music from now until December 25 tell us to prepare for the Coming of the Lord. That verges on heresy.

Some will probably think "that will mean that we will have to let go of “O Come, O Come, Emanuel” and that the symbols associated with Advent will be lost. I ask – which is more important: adhering to tradition or teaching/celebrating the actual events in the Life of Jesus so that they may be appreciated and loved and help us to know and to love Jesus during each phase of His Life. If we fail to welcome Jesus when He comes and we laugh it off as unimportant, it is a sad day and robs us of the beauty and graces of the two Feasts.

 

[OraLabora]

I really love the way Advent (and thus the new liturgical year) opens at Mass in our abbey. The organ is silent, so we hear the church bells pealing while we await the start of Mass. Then, one of my favourite introits, the antiphon Ad te levavi (Ps. 24). It has such a robust, confident and joyful incipit! All is done a cappella. Really a great kick-off!

 

[Karen107]

During Advent, we are not preparing for the Coming of Jesus. He has already been with us for nine months. Actually, we should be anxiously waiting to see the Face of God.

The readings and the teaching of the Church are almost heretical in this regard, and with the mention of seeing the Face of God together with those that tell us to wait for the Coming, the Church is confusing two distinct and separate events.

It is no longer a matter of poetic license or suspension of disbelief or practicality (“the Annunciation is so close to Holy Week that we have to use Christmas as a surrogate feast.”) Young people honestly do not know the difference. Heck, many old people, including many priests, don’t realize that the Annunciation is a really big deal and truly think that in several weeks we will be celebrating the Coming of the Savior.

Of course, we could celebrate that event every day, and we do. But because the Church is so precise in every other aspect of the liturgy and teaching, it means a great deal that the readings and the homilies and the music from now until December 25 tell us to prepare for the Coming of the Lord. That verges on heresy.

Some will probably think "that will mean that we will have to let go of “O Come, O Come, Emanuel” and that the symbols associated with Advent will be lost. I ask – which is more important: adhering to tradition or teaching/celebrating the actual events in the Life of Jesus so that they may be appreciated and loved and help us to know and to love Jesus during each phase of His Life. If we fail to welcome Jesus when He comes and we laugh it off as unimportant, it is a sad day and robs us of the beauty and graces of the two Feasts.

Advent and Lent are penitential and anticipatory liturgical seasons where we prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord who will come at any time at the second coming where Jesus will be Our Just Judge. Since we do not know the day or time for His return we must ALWAYS be prepared and ready. These seasons remembering Christ’s coming in Bethlehem and His resurrection help us to do just that. It prepares us for the day and hour of Jesus Christ’s return and on that day we will rejoice and be glad especially since we were made ready for the coming of our King!.that’s the most important thing of the season
. The readings and music should coincide with that because eternal life with Our Father in heaven is our most important
goal.

 

[psalm90]

During Advent, we are not preparing for the Coming of Jesus. He has already been with us for nine months. Actually, we should be anxiously waiting to see the Face of God.
…
.

With all respect, your question is heading astray like a dead-end road. We are awaiting the second coming of Christ with the anticipation that preceded His Incarnation. That’s EXACTLY what we should be doing, preparing for His second coming. He told us that it will come suddenly and we should be prepared.

I can’t go farther until you surmount this first obstacle. Catholics celebrate the incarnation, the passion and death of Jesus, and His resurrection in every Mass.