The First Week of Advent

"Advent" does not mean "expectation", as some may think. It is a translation of the Greek word parousia which means "presence" or, more accurately, "arrival", i.e., the beginning of a presence. In antiquity the word was a technical term for the presence of a king or ruler and also of the god being worshiped, who bestows his parousia on his devotees for a time. "Advent", then, means a presence begun, the presence being that of God. Advent reminds us, therefore, of two things: first, that God's presence in the world has already begun, that he is present though in a hidden manner; second, that his presence has only begun and is not yet full and complete, that it is in a state of development, of becoming and progressing toward its full form. His presence has already begun and we, the faithful, are the ones through whom he wishes to be present in the world. Through our faith, hope, and love he wants his light to shine over and over again in the night of the world... That night is "today" whenever the "word" again becomes "flesh" or genuine human reality. "The Christ child comes" in a real sense whenever human being act out of authentic love for the Lord.

~ Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI