Today, is the first Sunday of Advent, a day that marks four weeks of preparation, waiting and expectation for the Coming of Christ. In fact, that is why the word itself, Advent, simply means “coming.” And, though Christ has already come, as we say in our creed, and as made very clear in our Gospel today, “Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again.”

In other words, this season reminds us that though Christ has already come, though He has born among us as man, there will be a time when He will come again, it is a theological term known as eschatology, but, simply put, it means “already, but not yet.” As one priest once explained it, we celebrate the “already” of Christ’s historical birth and, at the same time, the ascetical “not yet” which instills within us vigilance, preparation, penance and patience.”

The problem, however, is that the focus immediately turns to Christ’s birth and we already rejoice without taking any time or making any preparations, and it happens easily because no matter where we go, what we do, or what we watch, Christmas is already here. Yet, as I once read and think an important reminder: “Advent is often cast as the spiritual tonic for the secular emphasis of the season.”

I will never forget what I saw one night as I was driving. I was looking at and admiring all the Christmas lights and decorations, because it is nearly impossible not to, when I pulled up to a light and happened to notice a house that was a little darker than the others, on the porch, there was a purple cloth draped and there was a single spotlight pointing at a sign, and on the sign there was a quote from Isaiah, and it simply said: “Comfort, Comfort, O My People.” And, in each window there was a single candle, there were no colorful lights, no Santas or Snowmen, just a purple cloth, a light and a sign.

And, it occurred to me, these people were not decorated for Christmas, instead, they were preparing for Christmas with quiet expectation and hope, and their decorations were a reflection of that. There was a simplicity to it, the way there is a simplicity to the season of Advent, and that simplicity served as a reminder of what will happen, what eventually is going to happen and visibly showed what that preparation means.

Traditionally that is what Advent is, in fact, for many years it was simply known as a mini-Lent, because there would be fasting, prayer and vigilance, but, again, it wasn’t only to prepare for a coming that had already occurred, but to be ready, rather, for the time when Christ comes again, because that coming is unknown. And, that is why it is meant to instill within us a desire to be vigilant and to always be found at prayer. Many people often wonder why the saints prayed so much, this is one of those reasons, because they never wanted to be caught off-guard.

Advent is an opportunity, another day that God has given us to be ready for the last day, it is not meant to be fatalistic but realistic, and to know that the more we are ready, the less we have to fear, but even more so, to know that to be ready is to be willing to accept Christ in our lives, knowing, indeed, He will come again, but also knowing the true joy of receiving Him on Christmas day.

For, in the end, the more we are spiritually prepared now, the more we practice penance and patience, the more of a gift He will truly be for us, and, most important of all, the more of a gift we will realize we are given each and every time we receive Him in the Eucharist.

Because, just like that house, our souls will show that same state of readiness, clothed in a purple cloth, shining with the light of Christ, pointing to a simple sign, a sign of hope, a sign of peace, a sign that He will be here soon.