Come, Lord Jesus
Growing up, Advent and Christmas were about the coming of Santa and baby Jesus. While I loved the festivities, in time I grew confused about why we “pretended” that Jesus hadn’t already lived, died, and rose. It was like the Church had collective amnesia. As I grew in my relationship with God, though, I learned the wisdom of the season. Times in prayer during Advent imagining Mary’s pregnancy and Jesus’ birth helped me get to know and love Jesus more.
Like the changing liturgical seasons, though, I go through phases of what helps draw me closer to God or what I’m able to give to that relationship. Last year, Advent forced me to find God in service and times outside of “formal prayer”. I had recently taken a new job and was thrown into incredibly stressful work for a non-profit that was assisting Afghan refugees just arriving in Los Angeles. Times of prayer were few and far between, besides the brief cry for help. In addition to the demanding hours and pace, the small glimpses I received into our clients’ lives and their larger circumstances weighed on me heavily.
Amidst these challenging days, I began to more fully appreciate other layers to Advent and Christmas. We are invited not only to remember Jesus’ first coming but look forward to his second and the transformation of the world. Overwhelmed by the pain and mess of the world, Jesus’ coming “to judge the living and the dead” started to sound pretty good. “Come, Lord Jesus…because things are so far gone. Come and fix it. Bring fire like Elijah, if necessary.” In the gentler words of today’s psalm, “Rouse your power…Take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted.”
Perhaps it was the Spirit groaning within me. Advent became more a time to help deepen my longing for Jesus and justice, recognize areas in my heart that need transformation, and take steps to build the Kingdom here and now. The season can help us continue to wait in expectant hope for the light to more visibly win. Amidst any present darkness, a light is still shining, and we are invited to help fan it into flame. Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus.
What groans within you and in our world today? How might Jesus be inviting you to lean into expectant hope and the building of the Kingdom this Advent?
Marisa Moonilal Montes