Advent began to be celebrated in the first centuries of the Church, and it was in Spain, at the Council of Zaragoza (380 AD) where it was determined that the celebrations of December and January should be attended, not only to prepare for the coming of the Messiah and celebrate it with the gathered community, but to prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior. Thus, we would recognize that we were eager for his return, as Benedict XVI would say in the Encyclical “Spe Salvi”, as a reason for hope.
However, that definitive salvation (Parousia) of the one who makes all things new, was delayed longer than expected. Generations and generations have awaited his return, asking for it in the Holy Mass, after the Consecration: We announce your death, we proclaim your resurrection, Come, Lord Jesus!
Now, when most people neither expect the Messiah nor celebrate his coming, and even celebrate it are persecuted, wanting to remove even the name of CHRISTMAS, calling it a “winter festival” or similar, as already happened in that first Christmas, of the First World War, when they punished by sending to Siberia those who had stopped the war in the trenches, to celebrate together, with Christmas carols, sharing dinner, and even playing football between nations (like in the World Cup). The same thing happens with so many people who are persecuted for saying that Jesus Christ came to the world, for waiting for him with Nativity scenes and singing Christmas carols. In many places, it is either not possible (like in many public schools in Spain), or in countries that persecute the Faith.
Speaking of all this, I remember an anecdote that I want to share.
Not even twenty years ago, shortly after being ordained a priest, I asked people: What do you think will come first? The internal decomposition of Spain, with the iniquitous laws that defend terrorism, decriminalize vandalism and protect thieves and rapists; the Muslim invasion without accepting our culture, and massacring Christians in the countries of Islam; or the return of Jesus Christ, surrounded by power and majesty. People told me: “You’re crazy, boy,” “It’s not that bad,” “I think it has to get worse,” Do you want to be a prophet, now?
It must have been a year now. In the cold of the autumn afternoon, I asked three old men who were resting on a bench the same questions, and without hesitation they answered me at the same time: “Do you know what I tell you? That the three things will come almost hand in hand.” That means that we expect it, it means that they understood it perfectly, and that we have to preach more often about his return, as we say in the Creed: “He is to come to judge the living and the dead.”
Because I don’t know if you want to, but I’ve been wanting to, and since I was little, very little, I’ve been asking Jesus to be able to see it. To arrive on time, but not from Heaven, but from here. Because they will beat swords into plowshares, and spears into pruning hooks, they will not learn war. We cannot stop wars, but we can be messengers of peace. We cannot fix our neighbor’s house, but we can sow peace in the hearts of those around us.
Do you know something? We read it in the readings these days. When everything that is happening begins to happen: REJOICE, LIFT YOUR HEADS, YOUR LIBERATION IS NEAR.
Happy Advent to all!
