Advent — Maranatha, come Lord Jesus

The Advent (in Latin adventus, coming) is the first time of the Catholic liturgical year: it comprises the four weeks which precede Christmas, from the First Sunday of Advent (between 27 November and 3 December) until 24 December. The Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year of 1969 teach that Advent has two distinct characters: «it is a time of preparation for Christmas, in which the first coming of the Son of God to men is recalled, and at the same time a time in which, through that recollection, the soul is raised to the expectation of the second coming of Christ at the end of times» (n. 39). The prayer which opens every Advent — in every age of the Church — is the ancient Aramaic acclamation preserved by St Paul at the end of the First Letter to the Corinthians and repeated at the last verse of the Apocalypse: «Maranatha», come, Lord.

Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus. (1 Cor 16:22; Rev 22:20)

Lord Jesus Christ, who came once into the world born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, and who shall return at the end of times as Judge of the living and of the dead: look upon us at the beginning of this time of Advent. Renew in us, the baptised, the active expectation of your second coming; and at the same time the grateful memory of the first, hidden in the smallness of the cave.

Grant us the two movements of Advent: the vigilant fast of the prophets who waited for centuries for the messianic dawn, without ever seeing it; and the joyful song of John the Baptist who leapt in the womb of Elizabeth at recognising the Lord rising in Mary.

May these days until Christmas be, for our family and for our parish, a time of silent conversion: setting in order what is in disorder, forgiving what is rancorous, returning to sacramental confession, drawing near to the Eucharist.

And when the Lord shall come — through the Christmas liturgy in a few days, or through the death of each one of us, or through the universal judgment at the end — may he find us as the prudent virgins of the Gospel: «with your loins girt, and lamps burning in your hands» (Lk 12:35).

Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus.

Amen.