Anticipation: Advent and the New Administration
By Julia Greenwood
As Christians and Americans, we find ourselves at a similar point in the liturgical year and in the political cycle, suspended in two periods of anticipation: for the new administration and for Advent as we await Christmas. We eat the tiny chocolates from the little windows of our Advent calendar and light the candles on our wreaths, methodically marking time as Christmas day draws near. At the same time, we also seek to welcome Jesus more fully into our lives and look forward to His coming again. While these weeks can become stressful—with finals to study for, with papers to write, with gifts to shop for and the financial strain it may put on our wallets, with the cookies we might feel obligated to bake or the gatherings we might be expected to attend—the Advent season is at its core one of joy, hope, and love.
This year as we anticipate the coming of Christ into the world, we also anticipate the coming of Donald Trump to the White House, as well as other newly elected politicians. It is a very different sort of anticipation. The working class hopes to be listened to and for their work to be respected through fair wages and representation. Some in the pro-life movement await the appointment of a pro-life justice to the Supreme Court and legislation that will further abortion restrictions and advance human life and dignity in a variety of other manners. Some of those disheartened by the last administration look forward to having a Republican in the White House. Along with such sentiments comes overwhelming fear in certain communities of what this new administration might bring: a Muslim registry, immigrant deportations, the termination of the Affordable Care Act.
As we await our nation’s new leadership, we also anticipate the coming of our savior this Advent. Regardless of the uncertainty and fear and, perhaps, seeds of hope wrapped up with this new administration, we can take comfort in Christ our savior this Christmas and always.
Julia Greenwood (C'19) is an undergraduate studying American studies at Georgetown.