As much as I enjoy the Christmas season with its various celebrations, gatherings of family and friends, gift giving and receiving and, even in our polarized, partisan and pandemic-weary culture, a certain sense of good will among people, I believe that these days we need Advent more than ever. In many ways the Christmas season, which seems to begin before the last piece of Halloween candy is distributed, seems to overshadow Advent. However, I believe we need to celebrate Advent and we really need to hear the message of the Advent Scriptures.

Listen to the “language of Advent” in today’s readings:

• “Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery, put on the splendor of glory from God forever…”

• “God will show all the earth your splendor….you will be named the peace of justice…”

• “see your children….rejoicing that they are remembered by God…led away on foot by their enemies they left you, but God will bring them back to you borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones.”

• “I am confidant of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it.”

• “This is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and in every kind of perception, to discern what really matters…so that you might be pure and blameless for the day of Christ…”

• And of course, John the Baptist’s great proclamation: “The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
  

Yes, as much as we may “need a little Christmas” as the Christmas carol says, we need especially in these days, “a little Advent” and the message of true hope and sincere anticipation it brings. God’s way of goodness, justice and salvation will prevail. Don’t miss it.