The season of Advent this year is a continuing part of the Jubilee Year of Hope. The theme of this year from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans is “Hope does not disappoint.” Advent truly reminds us of this reality. Our hope is founded on God’s promise which, while we may face many difficulties and setbacks in life, will not disappoint because it is a hope in Him and for life with Him. Many disappointments we face in life arrive from misplaced hopes.
All during our lives, we look forward to things and events that are going to make us happy. Whether it be relatively small, such as going on a vacation, or more significant, such as getting a degree from college, we are always looking forward to something. When that event arrives, we automatically look forward to the next. Sometimes, we have the impression that there is one thing that will completely satisfy us to the point that we will never need to look forward to something else. Every parent knows the situation of the child who wants a new toy and promises, “If you buy it for me, I will be so happy with it that I will never ask for anything again!” Every parent knows that it never happens. We all know in our own lives that there is never that one thing, no matter how much we look forward to it, that satisfies us completely. There is always a better vacation. There is always the position after the college degree, and the better one after that. There is always something more, and we never seem to get to the point where we are completely content. Our hope always seems to disappoint.
However, that yearning inside of us is something that God put there. While all the things that we look forward to are good, it is ultimately God who is the only one who will satisfy the yearning inside of us. Nothing in this world, no matter how wonderful and satisfying it may be, can ever take the place of God. It is for Him that we are looking, and that is why there is always something beyond the good we have achieved. St. Augustine put it so well when he stated at the beginning of his famous work, “The Confessions,” “You have made me for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Pope Leo XIV, as an Augustinian, continues to remind us of this.
Advent is a season that reminds us of our continued anticipation during life. It is filled with expectation as we prepare for the celebration of Christmas. However, that preparation for Christmas can be a very hectic one that leads to frustration and, for some people, even a sense of loneliness and “feeling down.” We sometimes get the idea that there is the “ideal Christmas” when families sit around in perfect harmony, everybody gets the perfect gift and everyone is happy with it! We all know that that never happens.
Advent provides us the opportunity to realize that our hearts are indeed restless and will not rest until they find God. Indeed, only when we see God face to face in heaven will our hearts be completely satisfied. However, Advent also reminds us that, while we look forward to the celebration of the birth of Christ and the coming of His kingdom with anticipation, Christ is already here, and our hearts can rest in Him. Advent is a season of waiting in anticipation for God, but it is also a season which rejoices in God’s arrival and presence. In a very real way, Advent sums up all of our lives.
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