There is a religious and a social aspect to Advent. Socially, the beginning of Advent is when the preparations for Christmas really begin - the festive menu is planned, gifts are chosen and wrapped, carols sung, cards are written and posted and houses decorated. Christmas day is when it is all over.

In religious terms, Advent is the new year of the Christian Church and the church season that leads to Christmas Day. It is a symbolic period, marking the time until Christmas, waiting for the chance to celebrate of the coming of Jesus to earth. Advent is also a time to look forward to when Jesus will come a second time. It is a term from the Latin word 'adventus' that means "arrival". In religious terms, Christmas day is when it all begins because it is then that we celebrate the arrival of the Christ child.

The Advent wreath is a widely recognized symbol of Advent. The wreath is made of a circle of evergreen branches laid flat to symbolize eternal life. Candles symbolise the light of God coming into the world. Four candles (traditionally red) stand in the circle and each one represents one of the four Sundays of Advent. In the centre of the circle is a fifth candle (traditionally white), the Christ Candle, which is lit on Christmas Day.

Advent is a season of strong themes: death, judgement, hell and heaven, darkness and light, hope and expectant waiting. It is the season of the wonderfully fervent hymns of longing and expectation. Last week's difficult readings of apocalyptic prophecies and visions gave us one entrée to the Advent themes, the story of the birth of a child engages us in a different way.

The Christian doctrine that brings together both the social and religious aspects of advent is what is known as ‘realised eschatology’. The Kingdom has already come through the incarnation but it is not fully here because the Second Coming is yet to happen – it is here but not yet (C. H. Dodd). The following story expresses some of the sentiment of advent. (www.spiritandsong.com).

Advent! What are we waiting for? For whom do we wait? What are we to do while we wait? What gets in the way?

"Get the Door!" An Advent Story

There once was a man named Charles who received a very special telephone call.

"Hello!" said Charles.

"Hello, my son," said a warm and compelling voice on the other side.

"Who is this?" Charles asked.

"Jesus."

"Jesus. Yeah, right," said Charles, sceptically. "Prove it."

And, as he had done long ago with the Samaritan woman, Jesus proceeded to tell the man everything he had ever done. Convinced, Charles was beside himself in awe.

"My Lord! To what do I owe the honour of this phone call?"

"My son, I want to visit you today."

"You want to visit me? Really?" Charles became very excited. "How about tonight for dinner?"

"I cannot tell you the exact hour," said Jesus, "but yes, tonight for dinner would be fine."

"Great! Do you need directions?" Charles immediately felt foolish. "Oh, sorry, Lord. I'm sure you already know where I live. See you tonight."

"Blessings, my son."

And with that, Charles hung up the phone. Jesus was coming to visit him for dinner! He then looked around his modest home in horror. The place was a mess and his refrigerator was empty. There was so much to do! It was already 1:00 in the afternoon. He barely had enough time to clean up, go shopping, and cook.

Jesus was coming! Charles gathered the newspapers and magazines that were scattered all over the house and finally put them in recycling. He threw his dirty clothes in the washing machine and started vacuuming and dusting. He placed the finest linen on the table and set out his best china.

Jesus was coming! The grocery store was overcrowded and Charles was getting impatient while waiting in the checkout line. He had already decided that Jesus might enjoy a tasty lamb stew with potatoes and an assortment of vegetables. He also took care to choose the best bread and wine he could find.

Jesus was coming! Charles was ready to burst and tells everyone in the market that his guest would be for dinner, but then he thought, "No, I better not. I want Jesus all to myself."

Jesus was coming! Nothing was too good for his Lord! The lamb stew was simmering slowly and Charles was rolling the dough for an apple pie when he heard a knock on the door. "Who could that be?" Charles thought as he looked at his watch, annoyed. When he opened the door he was aghast to find a homeless man at his doorstep, wearing tattered clothing and looking quite unkempt.

"Please sir," said the homeless man. "I have not eaten in several days and I smelled the delicious cooking from your kitchen. May I trouble you for something to eat?"

Charles could not believe the nerve of this total stranger coming to his door and asking for food! "I'm sorry, but I'm a little busy right now. I have in important guest coming for dinner tonight. Why don't you go over to the mission downtown? They'll have something for you." And before the homeless man could even respond, Charles closed the door on him. It was almost four o'clock.

Jesus was coming! The dinner was cooking and Charles was ironing his best shirt when he heard another knock on the door. "Now what?" he thought as he looked at his watch, annoyed. When he opened the door he was surprised to find a little girl who must have been four or five years old. She looked like she was going to cry.

"Please, mister," said the little girl as she clutched a tiny doll. "I'm lost. I can't find my house or my mommy."

Charles sighed deeply. Why was this happening to him? He wasn't comfortable around children and he didn't know what to do. "Look," said Charles to the girl. "I don't know how I can help you. Why don't you go next door and ask them?" And the little girl walked away crying as Charles closed the door on her. It was almost five o'clock.

Jesus was coming! The table was set, the delicious food was on the table in covered warmers, the candles were lit and the wine was uncorked. Everything was perfect! It was six o'clock and Charles was ready for a wonderful dinner with his Lord. Then he heard a knock on the door. He practically ran over to greet Jesus and was shocked to find that his brother was at his doorstep! His brother, with whom he had not spoken for over fifteen years!

"You!" said Charles, angrily. "I told you I never want to see you again for as long as I live!" And he slammed the door in his brother's face!

The evening went on as Charles waited for Jesus. Seven o'clock passed. Eight o'clock passed. The candles were melting down and the food was getting cold. Nine o'clock passed, as did ten o'clock. Charles couldn't believe it. After all his trouble to get ready, Jesus had stood him up. Finally, the phone rang.

"My son," said the warm and compelling voice on the other end.

"Oh, Jesus!" said Charles with a hurt tone. "Where have you been? I spent all day getting ready for your visit. I set out the finest meal for you. And you didn't even have the decency to show up!"

"My son," said Jesus. "I did visit you, three times! But you never opened the door."