The Grace of Waiting

Reflection for the First Sunday of Advent by Fr. Earl A.P. Valdez

Image from Freepik

In my first two years here in Rome, I was not used to seeing Christmas decorations only appearing during the initial days of December. We know that in the Philippines, most shopping centers and establishments were already preparing as early as September (as we used to say, the celebration of Christmas as a season begins as early as the -ber months and ends on the Feast of the Sto. Nino in the third week of January), and one can already feel a certain “Christmas spirit,” as people were already buying gifts and preparing parties earlier than expected. But living in a country that has yet to set Christmas lights and decorations, it is a reminder that perhaps we as Filipinos may have looked too far ahead.

Today, we begin the Advent season, which also marks a new liturgical year, highlighted by patiently waiting and at the same time preparing for the coming of the Lord. Our readings remind us of this atmosphere as they all speak of preparing for the coming of the Lord at a time that we do not expect. 

But the kind of preparation that is asked of us is not the setting up of Christmas decorations, or making a long list of gifts to give and to receive. The preparations that our readings urge us this Sunday is of a spiritual kind, and it involves becoming even more aware of God’s presence, of being ready to be kind, to be forgiving, to be merciful. As Saint Paul says in the second reading, it is learning “to put on Christ” whose coming we await, which means living how he lives and loving how he loves. 

V. Van Gogh, “Starry Night over the Rhone,” photo from Daily Art Magazine 

In this way, perhaps we are invited to not get too excited for Christmas, no matter how “uncelebratory” this reminder comes. In the following weeks, we would be having too many advanced celebrations: Christmas parties and celebrations, secret Santa random picks (or, in Filipino, bunutan), more lights and decorations in shops, offices, and homes. But if we look at it in another way, it seems that we have more than these things to prepare for. If Christ is really to come in Christmas, then we have so much work to do in growing in mercy, in simplicity, in justice. 

This means being more attentive to those who would let Christmas pass in fear and anticipation of another catastrophe in their lives, whether natural, physical, or spiritual. This means being more aware of what we can do within our reach to be more compassionate to those who need it. Finally, this means becoming more determined to follow where the Lord is taking us, challenging us to look at our lives, reflect on them, and grow more in our relationships as much as we grow in self-knowledge and self-awareness. 

Photo from Filipeanut, credits to the illustrator

Thus, if these are the things that we ought to really prepare for, then I’m glad we still have four weeks ahead. It is indeed a waiting that is graceful, an opportunity to see beyond and beneath appearances of festivity, and see and do what truly matters as we prepare truly for the Lord who comes in a simple way but with so much love for the world. We ask for the grace, therefore, to be like the Lord that we follow, especially in a season in which contrasts of life would emerge, that while there are those who celebrate and end the year in gratitude, there are those who face challenges and conflicts, and would need the presence of others such as ourselves, who can accompany them in their journey.

And in a way, I thank God for these plainly-lit streets and silent corners. It is a reminder that while we wait, we have yet a lot to prepare for.