I
see the English have discovered Black Friday. Police were called out all over
the country. Assaults, broken bones, arrests. You think they would know better!
Different
ways to prepare for Christmas – Church invites us to consider another way! Adventus – “coming” who is Coming? - Christ
Three Comings
in
Bethlehem – history
each
day – mystery
end
of time – majesty
1) Came in History
Emperor
Hadrian very famous for building 126 AD the Pantheon in Rome– also in 135 built
a Temple in Bethlehem – for this we are grateful = marked the spot of the birth
of Christ! – Constantine 327 built Church of Nativity- present church 6th
century oldest surviving church in Holy Land
Used
to have huge door – made small because would ride horses in - have
to bow. Then you go down steps – see the making on floor – and there you are
Believe
that Messiah was born here - changed the history of the human race – why
we celebrate Christmas - Mass of Christ
2) Comes in Mystery
Tragedy
of first Christmas – so few recognized what happened.
Even
today – so few recognize that Jesus is STILL with us.
1) Word - 2) Sacrament:
Eucharist, words of forgiveness, pouring with water, anointing with oil,
exchange of vows - 3) distressing
disguise of the poor. Pay
attention to the Presence of Christ
3) Will Come In Majesty
“As
we await the Blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ”
When
will He come? – we don’t know, stopped trying to figure that out a long time
ago.
But – he will come - be
ready
“Sub
specie aeternitatis”
“View
everything under the aspect of eternity”
-
is this action going to help me get to heaven, or is it going to hurt
my chances?
-
How will this appear on the day of judgment?
-
Good time for Sacrament of Penance!
History
– Mystery – Majesty - The three comings of Christ.
There
are many ways to prepare for Christmas. The Church offers us a special
way! Let us use this Advent well
- to prepare for the Coming of the Lord!
(Thanks to Cardinal Dolan - who first wrote on History - Mystery - Majesty)
