The Three Comings of Christ
We often speak of three “Comings of Christ” into this world:
His coming in history; His coming in mystery; and His coming in majesty. This holy season of Advent is about all
three.
Most obviously it is about Christ’s coming in history. This refers to the historical fact that 2,000
years ago a Baby was born in Bethlehem, and that Baby was God. (Actually, His coming really occurred nine
months earlier at the Annunciation.)
During this season it is good to meditate on the fact that the world had
been waiting for many thousands of years, since the fall of Adam and Eve, for
the promised Redeemer. During this
three-to-four weeks of Advent, it is important to reflect on the importance of
that event.
God became Man.
Why? There are many reasons, but
primarily, to die. Archbishop Fulton
Sheen said, “Every man in history, save one, was born to live. One was born to die.” Jesus Christ, the God-Man, was born so that
He could die for the sake of our salvation, and build an eternal covenant,
opening the gates of Heaven for all eternity to all who would choose to enter.
He became so weak that He depended on His own creatures even
to eat. He was vulnerable to their wrath
and scorn. And He was first made known
to all but a few on that first blessed Christmas.
It is no coincidence that the readings for the first week of
Advent focus on the end of the world.
Advent should also remind us of Christ’s Second Coming, His coming in
majesty. Christ will come again. We know that.
And when He does, it will not be hidden, as a vulnerable infant in a
stable in some no-name town. He will
come riding the clouds with His angels, to separate the sheep from the goats
(Mt. 25: 31-46). John the Baptist hints
at this in the Gospel for the second week of Advent.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord, we should
also reflect on His Second Coming. We
should be getting ready. That is one key
to the Christian life to begin with – always being ready for Christ. It should come as no surprise that while the world
considers Advent the shopping season, the Church considers it a penitential
season.
Finally, this Advent should lead us to deeper contemplation
of Christ’s coming in mystery, specifically in the Eucharist. Jesus told His Apostles, “I will be with you
always, even to the consummation of the world” (Mt. 28:20). This promise has been most beautifully kept
in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.
In the Eucharist, Jesus Christ has been with us, Body, Blood, Soul and
Divinity, in every age, from the time of the Apostles to the present day, and
He will continue to be, until the end of time.
I’d like to share a meditation I had recently. This is no supernatural vision, simply a
meditation. I was praying the third
Joyful Mystery of the Rosary, the Nativity, and in my imagination I approached
the manger. Mary was sitting there
holding the Infant Jesus, and she handed Him to me. I stood caressing the tender, precious,
fragile God of the universe for a few moments and reached out to hand Him back
to Our Lady. She kept still, however,
and said, “Take Him with you.” At that
the Infant transfigured into the Eucharist and took rest, shining brightly in
my heart.
It was a very profitable meditation and reminded me that the
wonder we have over the Baby in the manger should be present at every
Eucharist. He has come to stay. Eucharistic Adoration would be a very
appropriate preparation for Christmas this Advent.
So as we plunge ahead with our shopping, cooking and
decorating this season, let us not forget what it is truly about. And may we help others to remember as well.
