A Beacon Of Light… Autumn And Advent
By FR. RICHARD D. BRETON JR.
(Editor’s Note: Fr. Richard D. Breton Jr. is a priest of the Diocese of Norwich, Conn. He is currently the parochial vicar of St. Andrew Parish in Colchester and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lebanon. He received his BA in religious studies and his MA in dogmatic theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Conn.)
As the autumn leaves fall to the ground, we notice the days shortening. Daylight fades as the darkness of the night comes slowly upon us. On October 31, we entered daylight savings time. As the darkness creeps upon us and snatches away part of the day, we feel the struggle within us.This is reminiscent of the days of the Prophet Isaiah who foretold the coming of the Light of all Light. Isaiah said:
“The people who walked in darkness, have seen a great light; for those living in a land of deep darkness, a light has shined upon them” (Isaiah 9:2).
With these words we enter the Season of Advent. Advent is the time we journey through the darkest days of the year and are reminded the Light of Christ conquers all darkness. During Advent there are many symbols used to assist us through the journey of darkness.
The most visible symbol is the Advent Wreath. Advent Wreaths are circular, representing God’s infinite love, and are usually made of evergreen leaves. The evergreens represent the hope of eternal life brought by Christ. Within the Advent Wreath are candles that generally represent the four weeks of the Advent season. The flames of the candles represent the light of Christ coming into the world.
Although each of the candles can be attributed its own significance, the candles specifically symbolize the Christian concepts of hope (week one), peace (week two), joy (week three), and love (week four). The candles usually are three purple and one rose colored. The three purple candles remind us of the penitential aspect of the season, while the rose-colored one represents the halfway point.
The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. This Sunday is a time to rejoice because, in the distance, we begin to see the glimmer of light as the dawn from on high is close upon us.
Many Advent Wreaths also have a white candle in the center to symbolize the arrival of Christmastide, known as the “Christ candle.” It is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The Christ candle is colored white because this is the traditional festal color in the Western Church.
When I was a child, we always had an Advent Wreath on the dining room table. Each day we lit the candles and, as we ate our meals, we were reminded of the reason for the season. The Advent Wreath allowed us to journey together as a family to Christmas Day.
The Advent Calendar
Sadly, Advent is no longer celebrated in the family. This tradition has faded away and been replaced by secular ideas. Even within my own family, Advent is no more.
Now, the day after Thanksgiving begins the season of Christmas chaos. Chaos that leads to stress and anxiety, because, Christmas preparation is linked to society’s hustle and bustle. All the pharmacies and department stores are already decorated. Just the other day, the radio stations already began playing Christmas music. Once Christmas Day is over, the radio stations stop playing this music. What happened to the twelve days of Christmas?
There is another symbol used to assist us in our Advent journey. That is the Advent Calendar! The Advent Calendar consists of doors that are opened each day to reveal a Scripture passage. These Scripture passages lead us along the Advent way. When I was young, we always had an Advent Calendar in our home.
Our calendar was filled with yummy treats of different chocolates. My sisters and I would fight to be the one to open the little paper door. We would read the Scripture passage and eat the chocolate treats. Today there is another version of the Advent Calendar. The updated calendar uses different kinds of wine as the treat.
Jesus gives us our own Advent Calendar. Each new day opens another door on the Advent Calendar. This Advent Calendar is our life. Whichever calendar you use, both help us to place Advent as a priority in our preparation for Christmas.
The Advent season is a time to stop, prepare, and ready ourselves for the birth of Christ. This involves a resolute effort, but it is hard to stay focused. How can we stay focused during the season of Advent? We can focus ourselves on the same light that led the way to Bethlehem. High above in the sky there was a bright star that showed the way. It led the shepherds and wise man on their journey to meet the Christ Child. As people journeying to the Promised Land, we need to allow the light of star to help us focus this Advent.
You Are The Gift
Advent has a twofold character; the celebration of the birth of Christ and the anticipation of the Second Coming. This twofold character is an essential part of our journey of faith. In Advent we reflect on humanity’s fallen nature and how this twofold character was transformed in Christ. The Church, in her love for us, refocuses us to begin a new year of grace with exultation. The First Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the Church’s Liturgical Year.
Each year we are given the opportunity to stop where we are, and to begin again. To stop from our harmful and crooked ways, to acknowledge our sinfulness and do something about it. What is it we are invited to do? We are invited to the stable of Bethlehem to meet the King of Heaven and Earth. This invitation includes a special gift. The gift of a promise. A promise of everlasting life!
As we enter the season of Advent and begin a new Church year, we are called to imitate the shepherds and the Magi who each brought a gift to the manger. The shepherds came as they were — dirty, smelly, and uneducated. They brought the gift of humility — a most needed virtue in our lives. The Magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh — gifts that were fit for a king.
Our gift is much greater and more precious than gold, frankincense, or myrrh. Our gift combines everything the shepherds and Magi brought. The gift we bring is ourselves and the humility necessary to recognize our dependence on God.
Why are we so afraid to commit ourselves? Are we afraid we might learn about ourselves? Maybe that’s good! Maybe that’s what we need! The Advent finish line isn’t that hard to reach! Working hard we can receive the prize of victory. That prize is unquestionably the best prize you will ever receive in your entire lifetime.
As we journey through Advent, we are preparing ourselves to be reacquainted with Christ! As we see the star rising before us, may we ready ourselves to meet Him! Our journey to the eternal Bethlehem was already begun in Baptism. The graces of Baptism readied us to meet the Christ Child. In Baptism we received the Light of Christ, illuminating within us. This illumination is the star of Bethlehem rising before us.
May we allow the holy radiance of this light to lead us on to meet Him! Who knows where the star may lead! Maybe there has been a strain on your relationship with the Lord and you don’t know how to fix it. Use this Advent season to rekindle that relationship. Follow the light and go where it leads! Open your heart to the Lord.
Maybe you’re like the shepherd, poor, lonely, uneducated. Maybe you’re like the Magi, sophisticated, rich, prominent! Whoever you are, you are invited to journey to the stable of Bethlehem, with your gift. You are the gift and are cherished by the Lord!
