by Fr. Tommy Lane
This first Mass of the new liturgical year reminds us to look forward, to look to Jesus. Advent reminds us that God has not abandoned us; God is with us. Advent reminds us to look for God with us, Immanuel, in our lives, no matter what happens. Advent reminds us to be aware of the constant presence of Jesus with us, and when we seek solutions, to turn to Jesus.
Jesus said in his Gospel parable (Mark 13:33-37) to be on our guard and stay awake. Jesus was asking us to be on our guard and stay awake for his Second Coming or for the moment when he calls us from this life, whichever comes first in our lives. We are on guard and awake when we are aware of Jesus’ presence with us no matter what. During Advent, it means being aware of Jesus above all as we prepare for Christmas because Jesus is the reason for Christmas. A music video appeared on YouTube in 2010 about a lady shopping for Christmas in a shopping mall and a young boy stopped her to ask, “Where is the line/queue to see Jesus? If Christmas time is his birthday, then why don’t we see him more?” In the music video, we see the lady walking home after shopping and she imagined she could hear the boy singing,
Where’s the line to see Jesus?...If Christmas time is his birthday, Then why don’t we see him more?...Where’s the line to see Jesus? He was born for me. Santa Claus brought me presents but Christ gave his life for me. (Becky Kelley Where’s the Line to see Jesus?)
The little boy in that music video was practicing the words of Jesus in the Gospel today to be on our guard and awake. Advent is the time to get in the line to see Jesus. Advent is the time to make more room for the presence of Jesus in our lives.
The Advent pastoral Reflection of Bishop Crean, Living our Faith in a Fragile World (pdf), gives many helpful suggestions for making room for Jesus. He writes:
First things first—think on God. In the midst of all the uncertainty, anxiety, and fear, it is good to recall St. Peter’s advice to the First Christians: “Cast all your anxiety onto God, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
The bishop reminds us that Sunday is to be marked in a special way:
Gathering together for the Eucharist / Holy Mass goes to the heart of who we are as Church…Those who are not in the vulnerable category because of age or underlying condition, should always try to attend Mass on Sunday.
The bishop reminds us about paying attention to simple daily practices such as creating pockets of silence in our lives, saying grace before meals, blessing ourselves with holy water at the font at the front door, pausing for the Angelus, reciting a decade of the Rosary during a car journey, saying “Thanks be to God” and saying short prayers at various times during the day. He reminds us,
This time of pandemic might be a very good time to open a Bible, to read ‘the words of God, expressed in human words’ and to draw nourishment and strength from their richness. It could be a good time to discuss one book of the Bible or some religious text in the popular format of a Book Club. You might simply sit with a passage you like, to see how it speaks to you differently now in these unusual times.
These are just some of the many suggestions in the bishop's pastoral to get in line to see Jesus.
As people will be busy preparing for Christmas, it is good to remember that a holy couple prepared for the first Christmas, Mary and Joseph. Jesus was in the womb of Mary for nine months; Mary knew that the Word had been made flesh and she was waiting to welcome Jesus. Mary lived Advent intensely like no one else as she prepared to welcome Jesus. Mary prepared for the first Christmas by faith, believing in Jesus. We can turn to Mary during Advent and ask her to help us live a better Advent so that we can welcome Jesus better into our lives.
Mary preparing during her nine-month Advent for the first Christmas, reminds us that there is One who wants to spend time with us this Christmas and longs for us to spend time with him, the Lord Jesus. Make this the best Christmas you have ever had by opening your heart and home to Jesus. Let Jesus come to visit your heart and home this Christmas. There is really only one gift at Christmas: Jesus.
Where is the line to see Jesus? It’s
Christmas time and his birthday. Why don’t we see him more? Where is
the line to see Jesus? He was born for me. Santa Claus brought me
presents but Christ gave his life for me.
© Fr. Tommy Lane 2020
This homily was delivered in a parish in Ireland.
More Homilies for the First of Advent Year B
God is the answer 2023
Be watchful! Be alert! Turn to Jesus 2008
Advent: waiting in patient hope for God
Related: Advent: preparing our hearts for the the Second Coming of Jesus