In the last issue of Liturgy Corner, Advent was described as both a season of preparation and a time of learning.  We are given these days by the Church to prepare for the threefold coming of Jesus Christ: his coming in Bethlehem two thousand years ago; his second coming in the Parousia when all will be gathered up and returned to the Father; and his daily coming in our lives and in particular at our death. The hoped-for learning is deeper knowledge of God’s desires and hopes for His creation.  In a few words, God desires justice--right relationships between and among people and nature—and peace, but what does justice and peace look like in the many worlds in which we live?  We will return to this question after we look at a way of readying ourselves to remember and celebrate Jesus coming in Bethlehem.
            Creating a “Jesse Tree” (Learn more https://www.faithward.org/jesse-tree/jesse-tree-symbols-and-bible-stories/) is a scripturally-based activity that schools us in our “Salvation History”—preparing us to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth and at the same time aiding our reflections on and wonder at God’s hopes and desires.  Why, you may ask, is it important that we know what God hopes for His creation?
            Besides the incredible dignity that we have each been given by God, we are also called to collaborate with God in bringing about, in ushering in God’s reign where His hopes will be fully realized.  In order to do this, we must know God and God’s hopes.
            Praying with the scriptures that the Church gives us each day of Advent is a royal road for coming to know the “mind” and “heart” of God.  Some of us have access to the daily scripture through Give Us this Day or Magnificat or Living with Christ. You can also get them at (https://bible.usccb.org/). The Holy Spirit of God will lead us through this.  Before moving into praying with scripture, we need to ask God for the gift of learning to see and value the way God does.
            Our preparation doesn’t stop with a general knowledge of God’s hopes.  No!  it must move us to ask what this means in our particular circumstances.  For example, in the wake of the pandemic, I might ask God, “What can I do to help my sisters and brothers who are suffering from food insecurity?” or “What can I do to address the injustices in our systems and policies that leave so many people vulnerable?”