Advent by Candlelight is a beautiful ritual that I was privileged to be part of Friday night. It took place at Espiritu Santo parish in Safety Harbor, Florida. After each giant candle on an Advent wreath was lighted, a high school student read a guided meditation. Advent hymns were interspersed, sung by a small choir and us. Women sang a duet for “I Wonder As I Wander.” To conclude, I spoke on living Advent in the footsteps of Mary. Afterwards, we all moved to a large hall for appetizers, desserts, and fellowship.

The first year of the peaceful, inspiring event fifty people attended. Surprisingly, now in its ninth year, about two hundred participated. People paid $20.00 to attend and proceeds were donated to the Notre Dame Retirement Fund. Thank you, parishioners! Also, the supply of my Heart to Mary books was sold out, and so I had to take orders.

This Advent

Advent already? This year has whizzed by. Now we are waiting for Jesus, to celebrate his coming at Christmas and his Second Coming, which is getting closer and closer!

With all the bad news from around the globe, we might feel like praying, “How long, O God? How long? How long? (Psalm 13) . . . before we enjoy your kingdom of peace and justice?” However, Scripture says that a thousand years are as a single day to the eternal God. (Psalm 90)

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. encouraged us to “trust in the slow work of God.” During Advent we are “eagerly waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed” (1 Cor. 1:7). But apparently we need to “wait for it patiently”(Romans 8:25). Of course, this is hard for us Americans who like instant everything. Nevertheless, poet R.J. Thomas noted, “The meaning is in the waiting.”

Observing Advent

During Advent we prepare, pray extra, and give presents to the poor. But Trappist Thomas Merton pointed out, “Life is a perpetual Advent.” Consequently, we ought to keep up those practices all year round.

Mary is one of the three people we focus on in Advent. (The other two are Isaiah and John the Baptist.) The Blessed Virgin had to wait nine months before the Son of God was born. As the first and best disciple as well as our mother, Mary is an excellent model for us, a shining example of what it means to be a Christian, particularly during Advent.

Five Marian Lessons from the Cana Wedding

First

Mary teaches us to notice needs and act. She is not too busy socializing or dancing to be oblivious of an impending disaster: the wine is running out. (Someone said that was because Jesus brought along the twelve apostles!) This will embarrass the newlyweds and their parents and make the wedding feast a bad memory for them. So Mary acts to fill the need.

Second

Mary knows to go to Jesus when there is a problem. In this wedding emergency, Mary immediately turns to her son and simply states, “They have no wine.” She doesn’t beg him to do something. Jesus has not worked a miracle yet, but Mary knows she can trust him to do something. And he does, although is wasn’t his “hour.” His Jewish mother, whom he loves, has power!

Third

Mary perseveres. Although Jesus appears to rebuff his mother’s tacit request, Mary is undaunted. She goes to the stewards and tells them to do whatever Jesus says. This, known as “Mary’s commandment,” are her words to us too.

Fourth

Mary influences others. Her faith in her son is so strong that it is contagious. The stewards have little reason to think that Jesus would provide wine. What does a carpenter from Nazareth know about making wine? Moreover, why pour water in the water jars when it’s wine that is needed? Yet, because of Mary’s faith, they do as Jesus says.

Fifth

Mary is humble about her rescue. After Jesus provided the abundant and excellent wine, Mary could have bragged to others that it was because of her that Jesus had saved the day. But she didn’t.

An Advent Prayer

During Advent we pray the second last verse of the Bible: “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20) Here is an extended version:

Come, Lord Jesus!

Come, Prince of Peace, and extinguish the hatred and violence that mar the beauty of your world.

Come, Light of the World, and shine in places where people do not know you.

Come, Good Shepherd, and seek out sinners, especially loved ones who cause us concern.

Come, King of the Universe, and extend your kingdom of justice over our land.

Come, Son of Mary, and further the rights of women.

Come, Refugee in Egypt, and bring about a just solution to immigration problems.

Come, Son of God, and fill the hearts of people who are sad this season with hope and joy.

Come, Savior, and inflame in me a vibrant love for you that ignites love for you in others.

• This Advent which of Mary’s actions at Cana can you imitate?

• What special Advent practices are you doing this year? What are you praying?

An Advent Song

In my taught high school religion classes, I taught my students the Advent round, “Long Is Our Winter.” Here is a recording of this haunting song. The lyrics are

Long is our winter, dark is our night.

O come set us free, O saving Light.

Come set us free, O saving Light.

O come dwell among us, O saving Light.