Submitted by Fr. Peter Ullrich, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church

The title of this regular column is “On the Spiritual Side,” an apt title that guides these many reflections. Having celebrated Thanksgiving, a few comments are in order on these days and the coming weeks leading to Christmas.

In quick succession we’ve heard all about Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday. Will every day between now and Christmas have such labels? Thankfully, no. It’s clear that there’s more talk of Black Friday than Thanksgiving itself, which started weeks ago. Much of what we see these days are TV commercials trying to get people to buy things – that they may not want or need. Isn’t something missing in all that? It’s as if it’s one big business frenzy from Thanksgiving until Christmas. Comedians and commentators have even made their entry into the impact of these days, referring to these as the days when we spend money we don’t have on things we somehow think we need. Another made the comment that it seems everyone is in desperate need of stuff, and that the fear must be the supply of stuff will run out, never to be replaced.

But don’t we have a better way to look at these days? A better way to look ahead to Christmas and keep in mind what we’re about as we prepare for Christmas? Many churches observe the season of Advent. In the Catholic tradition, Advent is called many things: a time to be alert, to watch, a time to be attentive, to prepare for and be ready for the coming of the Lord, a time of waiting, a time of hope, a time of looking forward. It is all of these and more really.

And this short and very rich time must compete with the hustle and bustle and busyness of December in our culture – the time when we get ready for Christmas. These can be and really are a good time for us to consider what we are about. WHO we await. WHAT we celebrate these days and at Christmas.

In Advent we are remembering and anticipating three comings of the Lord. We recall the coming of the Lord in history (over two thousand years ago) – as Messiah. The one long-awaited by the people of Israel. This is the most obvious “coming of the Lord,” the Birth of Jesus. But we also have in mind the Lord’s final coming in glory – the coming of the Son of Man – when the Lord comes as judge. And along with both of those – and perhaps most importantly of all – we consider the way the Lord comes to us – now – in mystery. We look for the coming of the Lord into our lives. Into our world. Now. This year. In our families and communities. And into our hearts. Along with this we consider how we can spread the impact of the Lord’s coming. And we as people of faith do very well with all the charitable giving of the season – sharing meals, giving gifts, remembering those less fortunate.

Let us be alert for the coming of the Lord. Let us share the joy of the Lord’s coming today and in the weeks ahead. Happy Advent!