This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. It is the start of the liturgical year 2021. It is also the beginning of our four-week preparation for the celebration of Christmas.

 

Over time, Advent has unfortunately lost much of its special role in the faith life of many. In a time of a general weakening of the commitment of faith in society and even in the Church, Advent is less and less understood to be a time of penance and spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus.

 

Instead, the materialism of our culture has transformed the gift-giving aspect of Christmas. The weeks before Christmas have become a sort of shopping frenzy. Business stories each year indicate that many businesses have a financial model whose success or failure depends on the amount of revenue generated during the Christmas season.

 

Of course it is not simply the Advent and Christmas seasons when consumerism impacts and challenges the practice of faith. Pope Francis has often decried the emphasis placed on the economic aspect of society in our day especially when it overshadows needs like care for the poor or attention to one’s family.

 

This Advent presents a particular challenge. The renewed COVID outbreak has begun once more to take a toll on health and in deaths. While many have started coming back to Mass and to church following the first wave of the pandemic, others still have not felt comfortable returning to their parishes.

 

Economically, COVID has cost many their jobs and livelihoods. The stay-at-home shutdowns have had a particularly harsh impact on people in the service industries and those who work in restaurants and bars. Many of the elderly are increasingly isolated. The result has been a great increase in need among members of our society.

 

How then should we approach Advent 2020? What might we do to meet the particular challenges of our time, of this year?

 

First, we might make a special commitment to the spiritual aspect of Advent this year. As we do in Lent, we should look for some small penances to cleanse our hearts and souls. Perhaps a weekday morning Mass would be possible. Of course we should not miss making an Advent confession. Advent candles or even the early placement of the crib scene minus the soon-to-come baby Jesus in our houses serve as constant reminders to refocus our souls.

 

How about particular and dedicated prayer in the home as a family to prepare for Christmas? For husband and wife empty nesters, an Advent rosary to pray for the family or for other intentions is a worthy pre-Christmas practice. And if there are children at home, age-appropriate prayers or religious Christmas movies can heighten the preparation for Dec. 25.

 

We should look too for means to get closer to the poor during Advent. Perhaps we could offer time personally with our local St. Vincent de Paul Society or with some other outreach to those in need. Consider making time to visit an elderly shut-in, or take them a meal.

 

Advent is an excellent time to address one of the serious challenges related to the pandemic. That is that many have had time away from Mass and Church during the last number of months as they have taken necessary precautions against the virus. We all need to ensure that our faith stays active and strong. A life of prayer and of service to those in need opens our hearts and consciences to God’s graces.

 

With all that is going on, we know that Advent may be different this year. We should try to make it special.