Advent: A Season of Hope
In 1976, Andraé Crouch wrote the lyrics to a song entitled “Soon and Very Soon.” The song was popular in my parish, especially during the season of Advent. I fondly remember our deacon, Deacon Charlie, soulfully singing the lyrics. It was as if they were coming from deep within his soul.
“Soon and Very Soon”
Soon and very soon
We are going to see the King
Soon and very soon
We are going to see the King
Soon and very soon
We are going to see the King
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
We're going to see the King
No more cryin there,
We are going to see the King
No more cryin there,
We are going to see the King
No more cryin there,
We are going to see the King
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
We're going to see the King
Hallelujah
Halleljuah
We're going to see the King!
As I mentioned, the song was popular during Advent, most probably because of its mention of the closeness of seeing Jesus: Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King! One of the significances of Advent is to remind ourselves of the Lord’s second coming. The Lord will come again, and Advent reminds us of that truth. “We’re going to see the King. Hallelujah!”
Another memory of Advent that I have is of it being the forgotten liturgical season, except by those who are more intentional about commemorating the solemn time. I use the word “forgotten” because the commercial anticipation of Christmas seems to steamroll all else from mid-October to December 25. Radio stations play Christmas music incessantly, satellite and cable TV stations show marathons of Christmas movies, and stores are relentless in their merchandise promotion. I am not anti-Christmas. I recognize that beyond the commercial motivation for sales and profit, there is a human desire to reconnect with that childlike hopefulness that anticipating Christmas inspires. We all need hope, especially in the times in which we are living.
Advent is a season of hope.It is structured around the four Sundays leading up to December 25. The Advent wreaths in our parishes and homes remind us that the commemoration of our Savior’s birth is near, but they also remind us that, despite the messiness of our world, with its disregard for human life and dignity, Jesus is near. He is with us every moment of every day through the power and presence of His Holy Spirit and through His Church. He will come again. So, among the various items of the good news of Advent is that we are not forgotten, we are not alone, and we have nothing to fear!
As we anticipate Advent, I would simply like to encourage all readers and faithful to consider being more intentional about observing the holy season. Advent traditions such as Advent calendars and Advent wreaths can be helpful in celebrating Advent. Another tradition that I would like to recommend for your consideration is silence.
There is a compelling passage of Scripture in the Old Testament that tells of the encounter that the Hebrew prophet Elijah had with God on Mt. Horeb. The passage is famous for the way a profound simplicity brings peace to momentary chaos.
In 1 Kings 19, Elijah the prophet is on the run, fleeing for his life because the notorious Queen Jezebel is intent on killing him in retaliation for his slaying of 450 prophets of her false god Baal. Elijah finds himself disillusioned by the turn of events reflected in his words expressed during a moment of exhaustion: “It is enough; now O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers” (1 Kings 19:4). God, ever present to Elijah, directs him to Mt. Horeb. There, on the mountain, God manifested Himself to Elijah in what is called a “theophany.” The Scripture recounts: “And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; after the fire, a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him, and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” (1 Kings 19:11-13). God manifested Himself in the silence, the “still small voice.”
One Scripture scholar has translated the phrase of “still small voice” as the “sound of utmost silence.” If we reflect on the dynamic of this passage, it conveys an important message. Essentially, God manifested Himself. God communicated with Elijah amidst the utmost silence.
It may be difficult to imagine the “sound of utmost silence” because we experience so little of it in our days. Our days are usually filled with noise. The tone, tenor, and time of the Advent season invite us to meet God in the utmost silence. Utmost silence is serious. It means freedom from cell phones, television, and computer screens. It means putting down the books, the notebooks, and the daily devotionals. It means shutting off the music. Utmost silence is precisely what the words convey: utmost silence. In the utmost silence, we are alone with God just as we are, and maybe that is the frightening part. It’s possible that we may not truly appreciate or like ourselves. Advent allows us to recognize the closeness of Jesus, who loves us as we are and who desires our continued conversion and growth to become the people we are created to be.
Let’s give Advent serious consideration this year. I would encourage all to try each day to sit in the utmost silence. Shut off the electronics. Move from the noise. Start with five minutes each day. It will grow. It will be a challenge, but it is one worth taking on to encounter the voice of God.
Blessed Advent to all!
