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December 3, 2020I know I wrote about fast-forwarding through Advent last week, but all this talk about the Covid vaccine has got me thinking. Suddenly, we are living in this in-between time of knowing that the vaccine is coming (although we don’t know when, exactly), but still being in a state of rising case numbers and an increasing need to take precautions. We know hope is coming, but we still live in the “not yet.” Even though we can be confident and hopeful that sometime soon there will be good news and celebration, we can’t just pretend that we’re all set and safe right now.
Isn’t that what Advent is all about? Advent invites us to acknowledge the in-between-ness of knowing the Good News of Christ, the joyful hope of His returning and a future of being united with Him and with each other, and the not-yet-ness of that glorious day. The challenge is to know how to live in that hope, but not in denial... and to live in the present without losing hope.
It’s a fine balance, and it’s one reason that I love belonging to a parish. When the world wears at me, I know there’s a place where the Good News is always being proclaimed, where I can glimpse that eternal celebration every week at Mass with fellow travelers and seekers (in person and online), where I can witness the power of prayer, see miracles, love and be loved.
I hope you feel it too, Salem. And if you need a little inspiration, join us at our Christmas Sing-along concert on Sunday, help decorate or visit our Christmas walk, plan to celebrate Christmas with us, stay posted via our Facebook page or connect with others in our FB group, and of course by joining us to worship every Sunday, in person, online or even in your car.
Happy Advent!
-Margo
