The basic theme of Advent is given you from the prophecy: "The Lord is." In light of this word we are invited to "stand up and raise your heads, because our deliverance is near" (cf. Lk 21:28). The Church lives from this listing of liberation in Christ, drawing tirelessly to the grace of this hope and continually seeking ways to achieve between human generations that follow on the face of the earth. The advent of Christmas and will end with lead, and then, all people of good will to the cave of Bethlehem, to recognize that child in the Lord of the universe and his redeemer.
At the same time, however, the Christian is invited to look elsewhere: in the light of Jesus' words, announcing his return at the end of history, the Christian knows that he must prepare for a second coming of Jesus, that final and glorious, that will crown the saving plan of God in the world.
The Christian community, as the People of God on the way, has the primary duty of a witness before the world of this expectation by announcing - in the wake of the ancient people of Israel - the new coming of the Lord, when the weather will give way to eternity.
[Angelus, 27 November 1988]
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