What do we long for during Advent?
One of the most haunting hymns for Advent is O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Often sung as a processional, it is a hymn of longing for the return of Jesus into the world and more importantly into our hearts and into our lives. We prepare with longing for the birth of a child whose love is unfathomable.
This year has been a difficult year and a year when we too have experienced longing:
- longing for the pandemic to end;
- longing for restrictions to be lifted;
- longing for a return to school and to work;
- longing for a return to “normality”.
Even today as I write this our Premier has tantalised us with the next set of restrictions being lifted – 95% vaccinated or the inclusive 15 December – and we continue to long…
I imagine that some believe that longing is a negative aspect of the human condition but let us not forget what the longing of COVID-19 has inspired in many people. Their new normal is to change their priorities:
- family before work;
- visiting elderly relatives before self;
- forgiving old grudges;
- being kind; and
- being more generous.
Our longing during Advent is an invitation to a radical realignment of our priorities.
What do we long for at Christmas?
To have more or to be more!
This is the message that is sometimes hidden in the preparations during Advent – preparations that sometimes absorb us so that we miss the opportunity of Advent to reassess our lives.
While Advent is a powerful liturgical season in its own right, because it is more subtle than Christmas and comes with less drama than the Easter season, it can be missed as a time of preparation not only to receive the love of Jesus again but to share the love of Jesus overflowing through our hearts to others.
Some days when I have been weary I have longed for an end to the school term, an end to the competing and challenging priorities that are a necessary part of the dynamic of a large secondary College.
I look again and find again that longing that will lift my heart and soul and say O Come, O Come Emmanuel, come and be born in my heart.
Advent begins this weekend… the invitation is there for each of us.
May the longing for Christ deep in your hearts and homes prepare you and your loved ones for the love that only our Emmanuel can satisfy.
