We celebrate Advent with both the first coming of Christ, but also very often of the final and eschatological coming of Christ. St. Bernard of Clairvaux proposes, in a famous sermon given in the 12th Century France, that there are not just these 2 comings, or advents, but actually 3 comings// 3 advents:
- The Advent we celebrate now at Christmas with Christ’s coming.
- The Advent we anticipate in the end times when Christ comes again. But…
- The Advent we can experience in the waiting time between on a daily basis.
As we continue to reflect on the Advent of the Messiah, Jesus coming as the Christ child, today our scripture focus us on these other two Advents – His coming again and his daily presence in our lives.