Advent reminds us of the Incarnation and the Second Coming
Shoppers Beware Abridged Version: The recent Gospel reading from Mark warns of cosmic signs and the coming of the Son of Man — a message that begins the Advent season. Early Advent was a 40-day, penitential period modeled on Lent, but it later blended with winter festivals like the Roman Saturnalia and Germanic solstice celebrations. These traditions gave rise to Christmas customs such as evergreens, lights, and the Advent wreath. Christmas itself was placed on Dec. 25 to Christianize pagan holidays and align with older beliefs about creation and the Annunciation. Over time, festive customs overshadowed Advent’s original somber focus on repentance and the Second Coming. Though doomsday themes appear even in modern songs, today’s prosperous society tends to shrug off warnings about the end times. Yet Jesus’ message was less about destruction and more about conversion, justice, and inner renewal — signs that God’s Kingdom is already breaking into the world. And if the world really wer...