"Hello everyone, I have been reading about Catholic beliefs and practices, and one question keeps coming to mind: if Jesus Christ already came 2,000 years ago, was born in Bethlehem, died for our sins, rose again, and ascended to heaven, what exactly are Catholics waiting for?
This question feels particularly relevant during the season of Advent, which is described as a time of preparation and waiting for the birth of the Messiah. But is it not a little perplexing? Jesus has already been born, and His mission was fulfilled long ago—He brought salvation through His life, death, and resurrection. So why do Catholics continue to re-enact this waiting for the birth of Christ every year?
Moreover, if Advent is about waiting for something, should it not be focused solely on the Second Coming of Christ, which has yet to happen? The Bible speaks of the return of Jesus in glory to judge the living and the dead, which seems like a far more pressing event for Christians to anticipate. Instead, Catholic traditions seem to lean heavily into preparing for something that already occurred. Why is this? Is this emphasis on waiting for the birth of Christ a symbolic practice?
I am also curious—does this waiting take attention away from living in the grace of what Jesus has already done? If He has conquered sin and death, should we not focus more on living fully in that reality rather than returning, year after year, to waiting for something that already happened?
I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
Hello Truth Seeker, thank you for this profound question, which touches on the heart of Catholic spirituality. Let us unpack this together because the practice of 'waiting' in the Catholic faith, particularly during Advent, is rich in meaning and far more than a simple historical commemoration.
First, we must understand that Advent operates on multiple levels. Yes, on the surface, it appears to be about waiting for the birth of Jesus Christ, an event that occurred over 2,000 years ago. But this waiting is not merely a re-enactment or remembrance. Instead, it is a spiritual posture that aligns us with the deeper truths of salvation history.
Advent reminds us of the long-awaited promise of the Messiah by the people of Israel. For centuries, they lived in expectation of a Saviour, enduring exile, suffering, and silence from God. When we observe Advent, we enter into their waiting, not just to recall it but to internalise the same longing for God in our lives. In this way, Advent is not about pretending Jesus has not yet been born—it is about recognising that the same God who fulfilled His promise in the Incarnation continues to fulfil His promises in our lives and in the world.
Now, let us consider why Catholics focus on the birth of Jesus rather than exclusively on the Second Coming. The birth of Jesus was not just a moment in history; it was the dawn of a new creation. Through His Incarnation, God became present in our world in an unprecedented way. This reality transforms how we understand waiting. The God we wait for is not distant or abstract; He is Emmanuel, 'God with us.' During Advent, we celebrate this profound truth while simultaneously preparing our hearts for Christ's Second Coming. These two events—His first coming and His return in glory—are deeply connected.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux beautifully explained this in terms of three comings of Christ. The first is His historical birth in Bethlehem, the second is His future return in glory, and the third is His 'middle coming'—His daily, personal arrival in our hearts through grace, prayer, and the sacraments. Advent, then, is not simply about waiting for a past event; it is about recognising how Christ comes to us now and preparing ourselves for His ultimate return.
Your question also raises an important point about living in His grace now. Catholic teaching does not see waiting and living in grace as opposites. In fact, waiting in the biblical sense is an active, hopeful stance. It calls us to deeper conversion, prayer, and service. Think of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). The wise virgins were prepared and vigilant, not because they doubted the bridegroom’s arrival but because they trusted in it. Similarly, Catholics live out this trust by using Advent as a time to ready our hearts—to examine our lives, grow closer to God, and renew our hope.
Finally, Advent is a powerful antidote to the secularisation of Christmas. In today’s world, the season is often reduced to materialism, parties, and stress. But Advent pulls us back to the core of the Christian message: the transformative love of God who sent his only begotten Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption (Galatians 4:4-5). Waiting for the birth of Jesus is a way of reclaiming that truth and allowing it to shape our lives anew every year.
So, the question is not whether we should focus on His first or second coming—it is about holding them together. We are a people who live between the 'already' and the 'not yet.' Jesus has come, and His kingdom is not yet fully realised. Advent teaches us to wait in joyful hope, not as a passive act, but as a dynamic journey of faith that renews our trust in God’s promises.
I hope this perspective sheds some light on the Catholic approach to Advent. Far from diminishing the significance of the Incarnation or the Second Coming, this season deepens our connection to both and calls us to encounter Christ here and now, even as we wait for the fullness of His glory."