Sunday Reflection with Canon Robin Gibbons: 30 November
The first Sunday of Advent marks a time to embrace hope and renewal. Canon Robin Gibbons bases his reflection on Romans 13:12, urging believers to “throw off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light.” This message calls the faithful to actively confront darkness in the world and to live as children of light.
In today’s context, Canon Gibbons highlights the pressing global challenges such as environmental crises, social inequality, and human rights abuses. He stresses that even small personal contributions to injustice are significant and must be addressed during this season of expectation and vigilance.
The Call to Active Expectation
Canon Gibbons reminds followers of Christ to embrace a proactive stance rather than passive waiting. He points to Pope Leo XIII’s caution against modern “new Arianism,” where Jesus is respected merely as a teacher, not as divine. This subtle denial challenges believers to reaffirm Jesus Christ as true God and Savior.
The Gospel reading from Matthew encourages alertness: “Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” Living every day with spiritual readiness involves manifesting Christ’s light through words and deeds, embodying hope that counters darkness and sin.
Advent Customs to Foster Reflection
Canon Gibbons advocates reviving meaningful Advent traditions that deepen spiritual preparation. He suggests using the Advent Wreath at home as a prayer focus, gathering families to reflect each Sunday. Additionally, he encourages the gradual assembly of the Nativity crib, a symbolic journey culminating with the Christ child on Christmas Eve.
These practices help resist the commercialization of the season. Instead, they cultivate an atmosphere of calm expectation and joyful anticipation for Christ’s coming in both history and daily life.
Poetic Inspirations for Advent
To enrich the reflection, Canon Gibbons includes poems by Frederick William Henry Myers and Thomas Merton. Myers’s work speaks of divine presence and joyful anticipation, while Merton’s poem draws on natural imagery to evoke a sense of quiet wonder and humility.
These literary pieces serve to deepen the spiritual experience of Advent, inviting readers to embrace both darkness and light with faithful surrender and hope.
By engaging with these reflections and customs, believers can open their hearts more fully to the transforming power of Advent. This season becomes a time not just of waiting, but of active renewal and joyful openness to Christ’s enduring light.
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