First Sunday of Advent

Fr Dominic's Homily

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. It’s a time of waiting and anticipation as we await the birth of our saviour as a tiny baby in a manger in a stable on the 25th December.

As you know Jesus was not necessarily born at that time or in that month. Also we know that in Roman times one of the Emperors designated 25th December as a feast of the Sun God because it is around that time that we have the shortest day of the year and the longest night. (Which is actually 21st December I think which is less than 3 weeks away)

Then after that time the days gradually get longer which was supposed to represent the growth of the Sun God. Around the 4th century I think it was the emperor Constantine who then changed this feast from a celebration of the sun god to a celebration of the Son of God.

He used this to mark the birth of Christ as a symbol of Christs light shining over the darkness of this world when the world was at its darkest time.

So we as Christians focus on this aspect of Jesus coming into the world as its saviour and redeemer. As our ultimate king who will banish the darkness and bring us to the love, joy and hope of his kingdom.

Then there is a second aspect of this season of Advent. We look forward in anticipation to the return of Christ at the end of time.

That’s why many of the readings and prayers speak about this and we can easily get confused. Is this season about the birth of Christ or his return at the end of time? Well both are true and incorporated into this season.

St Augustine reminds us that when Jesus was born as a baby in a stable he was obscure, no one really knew much about him or who he really was. It was a scene of humility and he was judged by many during the course of his life.

However when Jesus returns at the end of time there will be no ambiguity in respect to exactly who he is. He will be regal in his status and known by all. Instead of being judged by us he will be the one to judge us in how we have lived.

In the Gospel Jesus is speaking some of the last words of advice to his disciples before he is to enter Jerusalem for his persecution and death. He is warning then to stay awake. To keep alert and to pray. Why? Because you do not know when he will return at the end of the world. Jesus says that nobody knows.

So if you ever hear anyone telling you that they know exactly when it’s going to be you know that you can’t believe it because Jesus has already told us this.

He uses this parable of a man travelling abroad – representing Jesus the disciples represent his servants who have been assigned tasks. And there is a doorkeeper who awaits for the masters return.

This reminds us that in ancient times there were no emails, no mobile phones and so people could be delayed for many reasons so you never quite knew when someone would return.

St Paul reminds us that travelling at that time could be treacherous and if the weather or sailing conditions were bad you would be stuck in certain towns or villages for up to a year!

So Jesus uses this analogy to compare it with the end of time – we simply don’t know when – but be ready and waiting. If it is at night time we must not be spiritually asleep!

So whilst we look forward to commemorating the birth of Jesus in a few weeks we are in actually this period of time in history between the birth of Christ and his return as some point that he has warned us to be ready for.

How can we be ready for the future? Paradoxically by living fully in the present moment, accepting who we are and what situations we find ourselves in following Christ as closely as we can.

It’s very hard to live in the present moment in our lives as we tend to be chained to events in the past or worried about the future.

Woman – tiger – choice! cliff – tree – sea. Above, below. She sees some berries. Picks and eats and they are the sweetest berries.

Moral? Analogy for life. Always be past / future – make choices where necessary. Look for the fruit of the present moment. Then we can blossom where we are planted.

Let us live this season of Advent in the joy and hope of Christ’s birth and that we can be prepared in our hearts and minds for his return at the end of time.