Today, Sunday 29 November 2009, is the First Sunday in Advent.

The first day of the Church’s 4-week lead-up period to the celebration of the advent (coming) of Jesus Christ into human history.

For Christians, today is the start of the Church’s year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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At least three “advents” are spoken of in the Gospel readings in Catholic Mass over the next four Sundays.

The first week’s Gospel refers, today, not to the birth of Baby Jesus, but to the final return (advent) of Christ at the end of time.

From Saint Luke’s Gospel, chapter 21:
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: “There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves: men withering away for fear and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world.

“For the powers of heaven shall be moved; and then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great power and majesty. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand.”

And He spoke to them a similitude: “See the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh; so you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand. Amen I say to you, this generation shall not pass away till all things be fulfilled.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.”

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So the first thing to get straight during Advent is not so much that Santa will be bringing nice goodies to the children — nor is it even to focus on the details of the birth of Christ 2009 years (approx) ago.

The first consideration in Advent is to recognise that human history is going somewhere – that at the end of it stands Jesus Christ, who is God himself, and who is to be our Judge.

This is both good news and bad news. It is certainly serious news.

If we live lives of goodwill towards God, and put him first in our lives, our destiny is one of eternal, infinite happiness in God’s presence forever.

If we choose to live otherwise, our destiny will be otherwise.

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I hope to post the readings for each of the four Sundays of Advent on this site during the coming weeks.