First Sunday of Advent
Readings: Jeremiah 33:14–16, Psalm 24(25):4–5, 8–9, 10, 14, 1 Thessalonians 3:12–4:2, Luke 21:25–28, 34–36
1 December 2024
May the Lord … make you love one another 1 TH 3:12
Rightly so, we are quick to criticise the commercial side of Christmas. Beforehand, we are bombarded with advertisements telling us what we need; what children must have. It can lead us to lose the real meaning of Christmas. But it is not all bad.
When I was a child, my brothers and sisters and me got a bit of pocket money from our parents. For most of the year, we spent it on ourselves. I would buy something for me—something I wanted. But in the run up to Christmas, during the season of Advent, it was different. Instead of spending our pocket money on ourselves, we would save it up to buy Christmas presents for one another, for mum and dad.
The buying of presents for other people brings us out of ourselves. It leads us to think of others, to consider what other people might want or need rather than me just thinking about myself and what I want. It helped us to love one another.
The tradition of giving at Christmas can be traced back to the very first Christmas. Wise Men came from the East, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Mt 2:11), which they gave to the child Jesus, who was born into poverty. They remind us that giving to others at Christmas is only complete if we give something to God and to the poor.
Lord, may I be generous in helping those who are in need this Christmas. Amen
Fr Antony Jukes OFM
Artist Spotlight
The Light of the World – WILLIAM HOLMAN HUNT (1827–1910)
The Light of the World. (c. 1851–1852). Oil on canvas, 123cm x 61cm. Keble College, Oxford England. Public Domain.
Advent was a latecomer to the Roman liturgy. Pope St Leo the Great (+461) who, in his preaching, developed such a rich theology of Christmas, does not even mention it. It made its appearance about the middle of the sixth century—Christmas having become a major solemnity. Previously, the birth of our Lord was a simple memorial; everything revolving around Easter in the early Church.
The earliest form of Advent had already been celebrated in Spain and Gaul. In Spain, there was a three-week period of preparation from 17 December to the feast of the Epiphany which, like Easter, was a time for the conferring of Baptism. But in Gaul, the three-week period was extended to 40 days. It began the day after the feast of St Martin of Tours (November 11) and was known as St Martin’s Lent— well chosen, for the season was strongly penitential in character. Christmas by now had replaced Epiphany as the terminus of the time of preparation.
The primitive form of the Roman Advent ran for six weeks before Christmas. Pope St Gregory the Great (+604) reduced the number of weeks to four, and that has remained the tradition. He judged it inappropriate that Advent should have the same duration as Lent—he saw the season as liturgical rather than penitential in character. The emphasis was on joyful hope, but some of the ceremonial expressions of joy were suppressed. The absence of the Gloria was simply to allow it to ring out with freshness at Christmas, and the wearing of purple vestments would make the white appear all the more brilliant on Christmas Day.
Mind you, the Roman Advent has always included a note of penance, but in the positive sense of a call to conversion and renewal of life. That note is sounded in the Mass readings which summon us to “prepare a way for the Lord” and “to cast off the works of darkness”. The very word Adventus comes from Roman times and referred to the coming of the emperor to his dominions. The roads were repaired so that his passage would be smooth. It is why the term was used by St John the Baptist. The roads into our hearts may have become cluttered with debris. Sin may make Christ’s entry difficult. Remember, he is the most gracious guest and usually does not barge in, but “stands at the door and knocks”.
The artist William Holman Hunt made this obvious in his famous painting The Light of the World, now housed in the side chapel at Keble College, Oxford. An observer questioned the absence of a handle on the door. Hunt replied that this door can only be opened from the inside.
“Casting off the works of darkness” also presupposes some effort at spiritual renewal. Prayer, fasting, and works of charity are always the soul’s weapons at any time of the year. The Second Vatican Council greatly enriched the Advent liturgy with extra Mass formalities and Scripture readings. They are a mine of inspiration. Fasting will remind us that many in the world will not be gorging themselves at the Christmas feasts. The money saved, as in Lent, can well be given to various Christmas charities. Many churches display a “giving tree”.
William Holman Hunt was a founding member of a group of like-minded young artists who, in 1848 in London, established themselves as the Pre- Raphaelite Brotherhood. They embraced medieval art and focused on religious subjects. Hunt’s The Light of the World toured Australia in 1906, with thousands queuing to see it (The Weekend Australian Review, 13–14 January 2024).
The painting is steeped in symbolism. Christ holds a lantern—the light of conscience. Around his head is the halo—the light of salvation. The morning star is just visible above Christ’s head, the dawning of a new day. All this counteracts the fallen apples in the lower right-hand corner, symbols of the original sin of the Fall. The overgrown ivy covering the door hints that our past life may have made it difficult for Christ to enter.
Monsignor Graham Schmitzer
Fr Antony Jukes OFM, from Chingford, East London, joined the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in 2002 and was ordained in 2009. He has served in a parish, youth retreat centre, and a Franciscan Study Centre, and is now the novice director in Killarney, Ireland.
Monsignor Graham Schmitzer, retired parish priest of Immaculate Conception Parish in Unanderra, NSW, was ordained in 1969 and served in many parishes in the Diocese of Wollongong. He was chancellor and secretary to Bishop William Murray for 13 years. Raised in Port Macquarie and educated by the Sisters of St Joseph of Lochinvar, he worked for the Department of Attorney General and Justice before entering St Columba’s College in 1962. He enjoys travelling and visiting major European art galleries.
With thanks to the Diocese of Wollongong, who have supplied this reflection from their publication, The Light: Advent and Christmas Daily Reflections 2024. Reproduced with permission.
