Daily reflection _ everyday is advent

EVERYDAY IS ADVENT  
To celebrate this season is to celebrate being human.
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
We begin now to bring to a close this time of waiting, of preparation. We begin to turn our attention now more seriously, more immediately, to the celebration of Christmas. It is still Advent, certainly, and the season still points to the future, but for most of us, I imagine, right now it points only about one day into the future.
But even though all that is true, there is still a sense in which long after Christmas is over and forgotten, it will be Advent. It will still be Advent, because we will still be waiting, we will still be preparing. There is a sense in which all of our life is an Advent, and to celebrate this season is to celebrate being human.
The prophet Micah speaks to this in the first reading. He speaks of hope, a virtue that has kept the human spirit alive through generation after generation. A hope that has, over the centuries been focused on a good many different things, a good many different people. But usually that hope is expressed in the same way. When this person comes, or that event happens, then our lives will be changed, things will be better.
And so again, that age old, life-giving hope becomes focused, focused this time on Christ, the final fulfillment of that hope. So now Advent closes, as it began, really, with an image of patient, trusting faith. A faith that was composed with as much understanding as possible. Mary even questioned the angel for a few more details at the Annunciation, but a faith which did not depend on understanding for its force. "Am I going to believe, or not?"
Points to Pray and Ponder: As a people of faith, it is always Advent.