Pope says Advent should be time of preparing, honoring Christ as king

Published: 2003-11-26

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Advent should be a time of vigilance when Catholics prepare not only to mark Christ's birth, but to honor him as king of heaven and earth, Pope John Paul II said. At his Nov. 26 general audience, which fell between the feast of Christ the King and the first Sunday of Advent, the pope focused on the "royal hymn" of Psalm 110 proclaiming the enthronement of King David's descendent at the right hand of God. Although written in reference to earthly kings of ancient Israel, the psalm traditionally has been read by Christians as a reference to the kingship of Christ and his final victory over the enemies of sin and death, the pope said. By saying that the enemies of the king are placed at his feet, the pope said, the psalm underlines the contrast between "the plan of God, which works through his elected one, and the designs of those who would want to affirm their own hostile and abusive power." Speaking in Polish to pilgrims from his homeland, the pope said that Advent, which begins Nov. 30, "is a special time to train ourselves in vigilance as preparation for our Christmas encounter with Christ, who has shown himself to be king and lord in the glory of heaven."

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