LAY DOMINICANS Central Province USA

Our Holy Father, Benedict XVI, gave us a good explanation of the meaning of Advent during his General Audience, December 3, 2008, at Paul VI Audience Hall, something that I think warrants repeating.

Brothers and sisters, it is the season of Advent.  In the language of the Church the word Advent has two meanings: presence and anticipation.  Presence: the light is present, Christ is the new Adam, he is with us and among us.  His light is already shining, and we must open the eyes of our hearts to see the light and to enter into the river of light.  Above all we must be grateful for the fact that God himself entered history as a new source of good.  Bus Advent also means anticipation.  The dark night of evil is still strong.  And therefore in Advent we pray with the ancient People of God: "Rorate caeli desuper."  And we pray insistently: come Jesus; come, give power to light and to good; come where falsehood, ignorance of God, violence and injustice predominate.  Come Lord Jesus, give power to the good in the world and help us to be bearers of your light, peacemakers, witnesses of the truth.  Come, Lord Jesus!

May we all look forward to HIS coming on Christmas night.

Peace