Saturday, December 3, 2011

Advent in Two Minutes

The folks at BustedHalo.com, a spiritual seekers' site run by some very energetic Catholics, have produced this video to give everyone a two-minute refresher course on Advent, which is timely in view of all the emphasis on Christmas itself:




As mentioned at the end, they also are running a video Advent calendar, with film clips, songs and timely quotes for each day until Christmas.

For some reason -- probably the same reason for which the video is an antidote -- I find that Advent is for me the season in the Church year which passes most quickly. (The season that passes most slowly for me is not Trinity, but Lent.) One can so easily get lost in all the parties, concerts, shopping for presents, writing cards, and special events. It is a good idea to step back and take stock of oneself -- for He is coming, the day and the hour we know not. Like the foolish virgins who let their lamps go out, it will not do to be caught unprepared.

A joyous, fruitful and contemplative Advent to you all!




8 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing a very good video. My only reservation is when it says that Advent is about hope, not repentance. I've addressed that issue in my blog postings entitled, "Is Advent a penitential season?" and "Advent and repentance."

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very nice, Mr. Haley. I may just borrow it for my new blog, One Daughter's perspective. My advent card says:
    May this Advent prepare you heart and mind for the coming of our Lord and Savior! Pic is of an advent wreath.

    Bryan, I agree. The repentance part of Advent has largely been lost. Advent was originally the same number of days as Lent (40 days) and was penitential in nature. I like both aspects of Advent- hopeful expectation and the idea of preparing your hear thru repentance. JMHO.
    SC Blu Cat Lady.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bryan Owen, thank you for linking to your posts, which are a needed correction to that one frame in the video. (I guess this is how Catholics are being taught these days.) And thank you, Galletta, for chiming in.

    For me the symbol of Advent is John the Baptist, preparing the way and calling on sinners to repent, and to cleanse themselves of sin before our Lord makes his appearance. One of the greatest of all Advent hymns was written by Charles Coffin in 1736, and set to the tune of "Winchester New":

    On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
    Announces that the Lord is nigh;
    Come, then, and hearken, for he brings
    Glad tidings from the King of kings!

    Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
    Make straight the way for God within;
    Prepare we in our hearts a home,
    Where such a mighty Guest may come.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AGREED about the greatest of ll advent Hymns! Love it! We sang it today!!
    SC BLU CAT LADY

    ReplyDelete
  5. It is amazing how Lent seems just to creep by while the rest of the year passes in a blur!

    ReplyDelete
  6. In the Eastern Church, Advent is still 40 days long, is a fast, though not quite as strict as Lent, and is very much a penitential season.

    ReplyDelete
  7. LV, Thanks for that information. I figured somewhere Advent may still be observed in that way. In a way, I would not mind recapturing that spirit again but it is going to be an up hill battle in this secular society.

    ReplyDelete