Lo! He Comes
A new year. New beginnings. New resolutions to bring those new beginnings to fruition. We enter upon a whole new era on this day, turning our full attention to the good things that are to come, the Advent of a Saviour who will save us all from Satan’s power and lead us to the greatest joy imaginable as we continue our transition from this life to the next
It may seem cruelly ironic that we are filled with such hopes at this the most dismal time of the year. After all, the days are still growing shorter and colder, and darkness appears to be winning its battle against the light of an ever more distant sun. Yet, at this very beginning of the winter season, we are comforted in our days of darkness by the promise of a future light, a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of God’s people. When they light up the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center this week, it reminds us how the Christ Child will soon light up our hearts and homes with a warmth and comfort that dispel all thoughts of the evil darkness of the devil’s work.
Somehow, darkness is not so menacing when we have at our disposal the means of introducing light. Our ability to flick a switch or strike a match gives us power over the darkness, and the good Lord has given us the greatest source of light there could be—himself, the Light of the World. As we wait for his coming on Christmas night, we have all the means he has placed at our disposal to begin the introduction of his light into our souls. Advent is a time of preparation, and it is the common practice of good Christian men and women to prepare their souls by a good confession. By driving out every vestige of sin to which we are attached, we may prepare a pure soul to present to the Christ Child on his birthday. And having dispelled the works of darkness, our souls and bodies are free to pursue the happiness of a life in God’s service, following his commandments and seeking to do his will in everything we do.
To those of you who choose to ignore this invitation from our divine Saviour, to those who wish to drag their sinful ways through the portal of this new liturgical year into Advent and continue offending God as per usual, please do not expect to have a very merry Christmas. The peace and joy of Christmas is reserved to men of good will, and there is no place at the manger for those who choose to despise its divine contents. When we are entirely consumed with the satisfaction of our material desires, there can be no room in our souls for the graces we need to know, love and serve God. We cannot serve both God and mammon. We must choose. The beginning of Advent is the perfect time to make this choice, so let’s not waste the opportunity. Resolve now to make it a truly new beginning. Maybe if enough of us can do it, we can make a difference. After all, in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.