Advent: 4 interesting facts about the season of waiting
Biblical precedent?
As with other liturgical practices in churches, the season of Advent is not overtly mentioned in the Bible. However, some have argued that there is nonetheless a scriptural precedent.
“There is no explicit mention in the Bible of any Advent season before Jesus’ birth,” wrote Peggy Ryan for U.S. Catholic magazine in 2018. “However, Scripture is full of stories of others who wait with the same expectant hush we now experience in the four weeks before Christmas.”
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“Moses and Miriam with the Israelites wait for guidance as they experience the Exodus. The Psalms reflect this waiting (‘I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope’ [Psalm 130:5]), and the prophets exemplify how we wait for God’s justice and peace (‘When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none . . . I the Lord will answer them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them’ [Isaiah 41:17]).”
Ryan also referenced Mary and Joseph, noting that they “wait too, and their experience shows us how God communicates with and cares for us.”
“Today we follow in these biblical figures’ footsteps as we wait during Advent by trying to figure out within our daily lives how to be the incarnating presence of God today,” she added.
