| Vatican City (Fides Service ) – “Advent quickens our expectancy for Christ, who comes to visit us with his salvation, bringing to completion his Kingdom of justice and peace. The annual commemoration of the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem strengthens in the heart of believers the certainty that God is faithful to his promises. Advent is therefore a powerful announcement of hope which touches in profundity our personal and community experience.” This was how Pope John Paul II began his teaching at the General Audience on 17 December focussed on the mystery of Christmas.
Besides hope for a world of justice and solidarity, Advent highlights another element which regards the significance and value of human life. “Not infrequently we ask ourselves: who we are, where are we going, what is the meaning of what we do here on earth, what will happen to us after death?” the Pope said. Certainly economic wellbeing or ever more advanced social and scientific achievements cannot satisfy the deepest longings of our heart: “today’s Liturgy calls us to broaden our vision. When we contemplate the Wisdom of God found in Christ, our greatest difficulties can be overcome, and our deepest aspirations satisfied”.
A third characteristic of Christian hope is the fact that Advent and even more Christmas, remind us that it is God who takes the initiative, he comes to us: Jesus took on our human nature and established his covenant with all humanity for ever. “We can therefore conclude that the meaning of Christian hope, re-proposed in Advent, is confident waiting, industrious readiness and joyous opening to the encounter with the Lord. With his coming in Bethlehem he came to us to stay forever.”
(S.L.) (Fides Service 16/12/2003 – lines 64; words 875)
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