Before there was Festivus there was Advent, that time of year when Christians, standing in a recurrently darkened world, turn their eyes to the East seeking the dawn of the Light of the world. Every year the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem grows more distant and the Second Coming at the end of time grows closer. But the focus of this wonderful season of waiting is not only about the beginning and the end, it’s about the birth of Jesus in us … the ongoing mystery of the Incarnation.
Meister Eckhart (c. 1260-1328), one of my favorite philosophers/theologians, said it nicely. "I believe in God, but do I believe in God-in-me? I believe in God in heaven, but do I believe in God-on-earth? I believe in God out there, but do I believe in God-with-us? Lord, be born in my heart. Come alive in me this Christmas."
Festivus, on the other hand, got its start on “Seinfeld” as a holiday for those fed up with the commercialism of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. It satirizes the worst that these holidays represent: gifts given out of obligation, sentimentality that forgets compassion and gatherings that feign togetherness. In case you’re not familiar with the connection between Festivus and Seinfeld … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQFLqMyo0fo&NR=1.
Before you head off to Harris for the Festivus Dinner this Saturday, Dec. 6, I invite you to join other members of the Catholic Community and their guests for appetizers and punch to celebrate Advent after 5 o’clock Mass. We will be in the Ernst Common Room at Blaustein because Harkness Chapel will be set up for Make We Joy. The reception will be right outside Ernst. I promise you’ll have plenty of time to get to Harris. Bring your friends, Catholic or not – all are welcome.
As we approach the end of the semester, stress is all too common. If you’d like to talk, please stop by my office in the Chapel basement. I’m on campus Monday evenings as well as Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and evenings. You can also reach me by phone at ext. 2452 or by e-mail at lalap@conncoll.edu. You will be in my prayers and the prayers of other members of the Catholic Community.
If you’re looking beyond exams toward Christmas, you’ll find Advent inspiration at “Camels Seek the Star: a Festival of Lessons and Carols” at 4:30 on Wednesday, Dec. 10 in the Chapel. For online inspiration, go to the “Resources” section of the Catholic Community’s web site at www.conncatholics.com (if any of these links don’t work, copy and paste them into your browser).
We will celebrate a Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Monday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. in the Chapel. Our last Mass together this semester will be Saturday, Dec. 13 at 5. We return for our first liturgy of the spring semester on Jan. 24. I wish you a joyous Christmas and all God’s blessings for 2009. Remember the true meaning of the season. Keep Christ in your heart.
Devotedly yours,
Father Larry
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
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