First Advent Reflection

Advent is not a popular liturgical season. Perhaps it has been overridden by the Christmas rush and commercialism. The University Chaplaincy is organising one evening of reflection during Advent to instil a reflective spirit in this season.

The reflection will be held on Tuesday from 7.30 to 8.30 p.m. at the University Chapel and is open to all University staff and other professionals. The Lenten Reflections on Campus are very well attended and it was at the request of University staff that this Advent Reflection is being organised for the first time.

The reflection will be guided by Fr Alexander Vella, O.Carm., provincial of the Carmelite Order and lecturer in the Department of Scripture Studies in the Faculty of Theology. Fr Vella is renowned for his ability to integrate Biblical interpretation and insights into spiritual life to come up with a reflection that touches both the heart and mind.

The theme of the Advent Reflection will focus on the Art of Waiting. Advent has become an anticipated Christmas season. Perhaps this is a sign that contemporary people have lost the sense of 'waiting in hope'.

If we learn to let the Advent liturgy educate us in hope, we may perhaps learn to become a little more prudent in our decisions. Advent offers us three models of 'waiting', each of which embodies various aspects of Christian hope.

The first is Isaiah: waiting means trusting God and his promises, and daring to dream the impossible, even when the dreams seem never to be fulfilled; the second is John the Baptist: to wait means to prepare the way, to convert; and the third is Mary: to wait means to become ever more aware of the gift you are waiting for and once it arrives, to keep delving into its mystery.

Child minding services will be provided during the evening.