During the season of Advent, as the light grows stronger week by week—one candle, then two, three, and finally, in the last stage, all four candles burning on the Advent wreath—the reality of that event comes alive within us when the second divine Person came among us as a child (Jn 1:14). He not only brought the divine light into the world, but He Himself was the Light: a light that did not enter the world with a sudden, dazzling brilliance, but quietly and gradually (cf. Jn 1:9; Is 9:1).
This light is the presence of God, entering into the darkness of human history—the reality of sin, suffering, and death (2 Cor 4:6). He is Emmanuel, who became one of us (Phil 2:7), and thus proclaimed to humanity the good news that—just as His name signifies—“God is with us” (Is 8:10). He is with us as a companion, not as a mere observer. He walks alongside each one of us (Lk 24:15), carries us (Is 46:4), and cares for everything that happens to us and within us. He does not look upon our joys, doubts, failures, and losses from a distance—as we may sometimes feel—but is present beside us with compassion, mercy, love, and strength (Heb 4:15; Ps 34:19).
He speaks to us in various ways. To Joseph, for example, He spoke in a dream: enlightening and strengthening him when doubts troubled his heart (Mt 1:20). In the same way, He speaks to us as well—through people and circumstances, through the words of Sacred Scripture (2 Tim 3:16), at times through dreams (Mt 2:12), and at other times through thoughts, impressions, and gentle inner promptings born within us (Ps 16:7). The way He speaks to us is not oppressive, not fear-inducing, not accusatory, and not commanding. His word is gentle and accepting (Is 42:3), because He knows and loves us (Ps 139:1–4), even when we are still on the journey. He awakens hope in our hearts, for He sees within us what we ourselves do not yet dare to believe (Phil 1:6). He always invites us to move beyond our present situation—not by pointing to our shortcomings, but toward our future.
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord—plans for peace and not for harm, to give you a future full of hope.” (Jer 29:11)
At times He warns us—not to frighten us, but to protect us (Prov 3:11–12). And He always leaves us free in our choices, for His love never coerces; it gives life and true freedom (Gal 5:1).
Just as we pay attention to a companion who walks with us—listening to their voice, noticing their presence, and taking it into account in our decisions—so God calls us to turn our attention toward Him and recognize Him. This means involving Him in our daily lives: telling Him what has happened to us, sharing our joys, giving voice to our weariness, questions, and fears (Phil 4:6). Not with special words, but with a sincere heart, because He seeks not performance, but relationship (Hos 6:6). Yet relationship is not made up of words alone—we must also learn to listen. God does not always speak immediately, but He always speaks personally. This requires an open ear—one that does not rush past the gentle voice—and an open heart, so that we do not merely believe in His closeness, but truly live it. For God is with us (Mt 28:20)—but it is up to us whether we also choose to be with Him.
Magdolna Fülöp SSS
