The people of Israel was a community in waiting, waiting with great expectation for the coming of the Messiah. When John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Jordan, the whole of Judea and Jerusalem went after him, thinking he would be the Messiah. She gave thanks to God for Jesus and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. She did not depart from the Temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. There was Anna, the prophetess, who was of a great age. When baby Jesus was taken to the Temple, there was Simon, who was waiting for the consolation of Israel. The different sects in Israel - the Pharisees, the Zealots, the Essenes - were all waiting for the Messiah. Everyone in Israel was waiting eagerly for the Messiah. These are the good tidings for Israel.Īt the time of Jesus, the expectation of the Messiah was at its highest. The Psalmist cries:īehold your God, He is coming. Psalm eighty-five is a cry of a defeated and suffering nation. They were conquered, plundered and their Temple destroyed by other nations. The history of the Jewish nation was a history of suffering. But their experience as a nation was contrary to all the promises of God. He had promised that he would be their God and they his people. Israel was a nation in waiting, waiting for the coming of the Messiah. Awaiting with expectation and preparing to receive the Lord are two important aspects of the Advent season. We need to prepare a way for the Lord and make his path straight so that there will not be any obstacles in his way. Second, it is the time when we prepare ourselves and our society to receive the Lord when he comes.First, the Advent season is the time when we await with great expectation the coming of the Lord - the great Christian festival of Christmas.The readings for today remind us of two things: Advent means coming or arrival, especially the arrival of someone who is expected. Prepare the way for the Lord clear a straight path for him.
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