Ca Dao
2007-12-16, 12:56
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL!<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
If you attend church services during Advent and if you observe the Advent wreath, you will see four candles: three violet (or purple) and one pink (or rose). Violet/purple is the main liturgical color of Lent and Advent. Yet, in both holy seasons of Advent and Lent, over half way through, we discover the bright color of ROSE in the liturgy – “Gaudete” Sunday (of Advent) and “Laetare” Sunday (of Lent). This third Sunday of Advent, we will light the pink candle of the Advent wreath. Rose/pink is a softening of violet. It is violet approaching white. In this sense, it anticipates the pure white of the Birth and Resurrection of Christ. It intimates the mystery of the "already, and not yet" of Christian life. We wait for Jesus but with great hope and joy, for God surely will visit His people.
<O:p</O:p
For some people, Advent time is considered as a difficult time with a lot of busy activities and stress. Actually, Advent is the time of expectations and excitement. If we truly wait for Jesus and wait for His blessings, we will experience that it is the waiting time of hope, joy, and peace. The appearance of the historical Jesus marks a very special turning point in the history of humankind. As a matter of fact, Jesus did come to our world, and lived in our human history. Yet, every year when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday and the mystery of incarnation, we still wait for His second coming with a new perspective that there will be critical changes. His justice and love will replace all troubles and brokenness we are experiencing in this current world.
<O:p</O:p
In that spirit, we are encouraged to practice love and justice here and now so that the coming of Jesus will be soon and his blessings tangible. In these days when we are busy to write/send Christmas cards or to wrap presents, we should put all our care and love in what we do. The fruit of true love and justice is PEACE. Let’s wait for Jesus and sincerely ask Him: “O Come O Come, Emmanuel!”
<O:p</O:p
Fr. Tan Tran
St. Patrick Catholic Church
*This is the column article written for the local newspaper "Free Press". Five pastors of the Ministerial Association take turn to write weekly to this local paper.
<O:p</O:p
If you attend church services during Advent and if you observe the Advent wreath, you will see four candles: three violet (or purple) and one pink (or rose). Violet/purple is the main liturgical color of Lent and Advent. Yet, in both holy seasons of Advent and Lent, over half way through, we discover the bright color of ROSE in the liturgy – “Gaudete” Sunday (of Advent) and “Laetare” Sunday (of Lent). This third Sunday of Advent, we will light the pink candle of the Advent wreath. Rose/pink is a softening of violet. It is violet approaching white. In this sense, it anticipates the pure white of the Birth and Resurrection of Christ. It intimates the mystery of the "already, and not yet" of Christian life. We wait for Jesus but with great hope and joy, for God surely will visit His people.
<O:p</O:p
For some people, Advent time is considered as a difficult time with a lot of busy activities and stress. Actually, Advent is the time of expectations and excitement. If we truly wait for Jesus and wait for His blessings, we will experience that it is the waiting time of hope, joy, and peace. The appearance of the historical Jesus marks a very special turning point in the history of humankind. As a matter of fact, Jesus did come to our world, and lived in our human history. Yet, every year when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday and the mystery of incarnation, we still wait for His second coming with a new perspective that there will be critical changes. His justice and love will replace all troubles and brokenness we are experiencing in this current world.
<O:p</O:p
In that spirit, we are encouraged to practice love and justice here and now so that the coming of Jesus will be soon and his blessings tangible. In these days when we are busy to write/send Christmas cards or to wrap presents, we should put all our care and love in what we do. The fruit of true love and justice is PEACE. Let’s wait for Jesus and sincerely ask Him: “O Come O Come, Emmanuel!”
<O:p</O:p
Fr. Tan Tran
St. Patrick Catholic Church
*This is the column article written for the local newspaper "Free Press". Five pastors of the Ministerial Association take turn to write weekly to this local paper.