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But these four weeks are not merely an abridged version of ancient Jewish history. Rather, this is a time when we re-live the events of salvation history, a time when we make our own the hopes and fears and longings of the Chosen People, represented by those named in Matthew’s genealogy.

By praying for and working to attain the virtue of patience, we derive one another benefit: we never take our Lord for granted. Rather, we begin to get some idea of his patience toward us and as we do so, we open our hearts more widely to him, at Christmas and throughout the year.

This is also why we should make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Advent, remembering as we do so, that the Lord exercises his dominion of our weakness not as the world exercises power but rather as a gentle shepherd, the one whose love is stronger than sin and more powerful than death. 

But in calling us to rejoice St. Paul doesn’t imagine that we live in a trouble-free world. No, the joy to which he calls us is deeper, more beautiful, and more enduring than the momentary joy of pleasure or success or even the avoidance of suffering.