By Fr. Brian Wirth,
Director of Rural Life
As I was praying last week, I was drawn to the beauty of the sanctuary and its adornment, as we have begun the new liturgical year, highlighted by the Advent wreath and nativity scene.
While the Advent wreath is a spiritually rich and beautiful symbol, the most important part of the wreath is not the violet/rose color of the candles which symbolize the hopeful spirit of the weeks, or the circle representing the unity of the Trinity, or the fir evergreens which symbolize God’s eternal love.
The most important part of the Advent wreath is the flame, which symbolizes our prayerful vigilance of Christ’s First Coming. Like the 10 wise virgins whose lamps were burning brightly in anticipation for the coming of the Bridegroom (Mt. 25), so the flames of the Advent candles remind us of the flames of faith, hope, and charity we are called to bear for Jesus’ entry into the created universe. By our vigilance, the Advent wreath is a sign of how—not just during Advent but through the entire liturgical year—this spiritual fire is meant to grow within the Divine Furnace of Burning Charity of Jesus’ Most Sacred Heart, which is pierced for our salvation and risen in Easter glory.
Concerning the nativity scene, very fittingly, Advent reminds us of the great need and physical and spiritual benefits of rainfall. As a rural farm kid turned priest who often speaks about the importance of (safe, seasonal, and sufficient) rainfall, this is a fundamental theme even in Advent. This may seem strange because, following harvest, the fields are barren as we approach winter.
One of my favorite Scripture verses comes from the prophet Isaiah, whom the Church primarily hears from during Advent: “Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened, and bud forth a savior: and let justice spring up together: I the Lord have created him.” (Isaiah 45:8)
In Advent, which is a shorter and lesser but nevertheless important season, we patiently await via the clouds and the heavens the glorious dewfall of the Just One, Emmanuel, God-with-us (Is. 7:14). Advent is not a continuation of Thanksgiving and the Christmas season; Advent is the time of preparing the field of our body, heart, and soul to receive God’s spiritual dewfall and by grace bear the fruitful seed of Christ and His perfect gift of salvation.
Equally, Advent is a time of physical and spiritual journeying, preparing the way of the Lord, and allowing God’s grace to fill in the valleys and lower the mountains of our hearts to receive the most precious gift of the Just One.
As a pilgrim Church, this too calls to mind the Israelites journeying through the wilderness toward the Promised Land with Moses and Aaron (Ex. 16). The Israelites, who grumbled against Moses and Aaron for lack of food, were gracefully provided with manna, “bread from heaven” in the morning. They had their fill, knowing that the Lord is their God (Ex. 16:4; 12).
Brothers and sisters, it is not if God comes; via Salvation History and the Paschal Mystery it is when God comes. Like the Israelites in the wilderness, there is no need to grumble or become impatient. The Lord God Almighty is coming, and he is coming soon. (Rev. 22:12-13). Now is the time to prepare our hearts and most faithfully prepare the empty manger and nativity scene.
In view of these nativity sets and empty mangers, to prepare ourselves, whether physically or spiritually I offer you the popular Advent tradition of getting some hay, straw, or brown/yellow yarn. For each small act of charity, place a single piece into Christ’s empty manger. By the end of Advent, through our acts of faith, hope, and charity, may all of us be able to lovingly fill Christ’s manger for His Most loving and glorious entry into Bethlehem.
One of my favorite prayers is the Surrender Novena, a prayer given by Jesus to the Italian priest Don (Father) Dolindo Ruotolo. In each day of the Surrender Novena, 10 times one recites the phrase: “O Jesus, I surrender myself to You. Take care of everything!”
This prayer, brothers and sisters, takes on an even greater meaning as we pray these words in view of the Advent wreath, the nativity scene, and the empty manger.
In a couple of weeks, brothers and sisters, most certainly, Jesus will take care of everything. He is coming soon.
Within the soil of our hearts, may we remove any/all obstacles so that we may receive the grace-filled dewfall which bears for us the physical and spiritual gift par excellence in the Eucharist, Jesus Christ, our Infant-King and Savior.
