Advent: A Season of Salvation

As we journey through Advent, our focus turns to salvation. This season invites us to prepare for the feast of the Incarnation of our Lord, drawing attention to the proclamation of John the Baptist at the Jordan: “Repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3). His call to repentance offers a remedy for our spiritual ailments. By heeding his words, we find ourselves once again on “the way of the Lord” (Luke 3:4).

A moment of introspection might reveal obstacles in our lives that prevent us from receiving God’s grace. Advent encourages us to cleanse our past, set our hearts in order, and prepare a fitting home for our Savior.

John the Baptist, the Advent preacher, is central to this season. As the last prophet sent by God, John marked a pivotal moment in salvation history. The Gospel proclaims, “The word of God came to John” (Luke 3:2), making him “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” (Luke 3:4), preparing “the way of the Lord” (Luke 3:4). What the prophet Isaiah foresaw during the Babylonian Exile (Isaiah 40:3-5) was fulfilled in John as he prepared the path for the Messiah.

John’s proclamation in the “region of the Jordan” (Luke 3:3) signified the end of the old covenant and the inauguration of new life in Christ. His actions, though symbolic, deeply impacted the faithful, especially those yearning for eternal life. Publicans, tax collectors, and sinners gathered around him, seeking his guidance, undergoing baptism, and converting from their old ways. Through his ministry, they were reconciled with God. This is the message of Advent: “Be in communion with God through repentance.”

Preparing the Way of the Lord

We often ask, “How can we prepare the way of the Lord?” The prophets who spoke of the Messiah emphasized one message: Turn to God. The Lord told Joel, “Return to me with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning,” adding, “Rend your hearts and not your clothing” (Joel 2:12-13). Similarly, Isaiah proclaimed, “Let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).

For us, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is where we meet God, receive forgiveness, and experience His divine mercy. Through this sacrament, we can be restored to grace and holiness. By listening to God, our lives can be filled with His grace. This should be our desire not only during Advent but always.

Another essential preparation is prayer. As St. Thérèse of Lisieux beautifully expressed, “Prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven; it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” Each person may pray differently, but the essence remains the same. Prayer brings us closer to God, making it the most profound way to prepare for the gifts of Christmas.

Prophetic Guidance

The prophet Baruch spoke of the messianic kingdom, urging Jerusalem to “take off your robe of mourning and misery” (Baruch 5:1). He foretold a time when “lofty mountains would be made low” and “age-old depths and gorges would be filled to level ground.” His words announced the mission of Jesus, inspiring us to echo the Psalmist: “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:1).

St. Paul encouraged the Philippians to prepare “for the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6), wishing for them to be pure, blameless, and righteous. This message resonates with us as well. By surrendering to God, we open ourselves to the graces needed to live holy lives.

Advent: A Time of Watchfulness and Hope

Advent calls us to watch and pray with expectant hope and faith. The examples of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, Simeon, Anna, and others serve as our guides. They faced challenges similar to ours and shared our hopes. Reflecting on their lives can inspire us to walk in their footsteps, leading us toward salvation—“The Word without a word, the Word within the world and for the world.”

May the Almighty bless us during this holy season and beyond. May this Advent bear abundant fruit in our lives.

Footnotes:

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Doubleday, New York, 1995, p. 673.

Christopher Ricks and Jim McCue (Eds.), The Poems of T.S. Eliot, Vol. I, Faber & Faber, p. 94.