What is the Advent Spirit?
by Father David Daigle, LCDR, CHC, USN
The short liturgical season of Advent is one mixed with both liturgical anticipation of the joy of celebrating Christmas along with a real sense of sorrow and penance because of our recognition of our own personal sin along with the sin of Adam and Eve that necessitated the Incarnation. In a real sense, the four weeks of Advent are like a mini-Lenten season. The color of the season is violet, reflecting in a visual way our sense of mourning and sadness. Hence, along with the joy we experience in anticipation of the birth of Christ, we are at the same time reminded that the Son of God came down from heaven and took on our human nature precisely because of our sins.
We need this season of Advent every year as a reminder to take stock of our spiritual life and relationship with God. We can only realize true spiritual joy at Christmas if we have examined our conscience and gone to Confession with a humbled heart. As members of the military, our life can be one of constant movement and hectic operational demands. This season is the time for us to “slow down” and refocus on our relationship with God. In addition to Confession, the best way for us to grow spiritually is to attend Mass as frequently as possible. As Catholics, we know that every Holy Communion unites us with the living, true Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ resurrected and glorified Body and Blood are offered to us at the Holy Sacrifice of Mass to unite us and ultimately transform us, more and more, into the One we receive.
May the Spirit of Advent – the Spirit of Christ – deepen within us during this holy season as we dedicate ourselves even more fervently to becoming authentic disciples of Christ that we are meant to be each and every day. In so doing, we will experience the true joy and glory of Christmas not only on December 25th, but each and every day all throughout our life.
Father David Daigle is an active-duty Navy Chaplain currently serving to recruit priests and seminarians into the US Navy Chaplain Corps.