Vatican City, Dec 1, 2018 / 09:38 am
As the Advent season begins, it is a good time to reflect on the Christian call to joyful expectancy, finding hope and consolation in waiting for Christ, Pope Francis said Saturday.
"We Christians are called to safeguard and spread the joy of waiting: we await God who loves us infinitely and at the same time we are awaited by Him. In this way, life becomes a great betrothal," the pope said Dec. 1.
"Tonight," he continued, "begins a time of consolation and hope, the time of Advent: a new liturgical year begins, which brings with it the novelty of our God, who is the 'God of all consolation.'"
"I wish you to experience Advent thus, as a time of consoling novelty and joyous waiting," he said.