If I had a say in the Advent season, I would flip its order of weeks because of emphasis on the readings.  The first two weeks have an eschatological meaning to them.  An emphasis on the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The last two weeks are in preparation for the Nativity of the Lord.  In the third week of advent there is an emphasis in rejoicing for the Lord is near and the fourth basically recalls how the birth of the Lord Jesus came about since Christmas is right around the corner.  It seems we start advent by looking at the future as we await the Second Coming, and then we return to look at the beginning of all by looking to the past at the time of his birth.  I do not know why the church puts the order of readings in such away. I would start Advent with the acknowledgement of the birth, get the presents out of the way, and then end advent looking forward with joyful expectation to the Lord’s Second Coming.  We should look forward to His Second Coming, but perhaps we should first commemorate his First   Coming to learn something from it.  For example, His First Coming was overlooked by many, perhaps we can avoid that same mistake.  The church knows more than I can about this topic, so I know  there is purpose for this order in Advent. 
     Perhaps the Church wants us to look backwards (in a sense) so we can look forwards to his second coming.  I just would ask to change the order so that we could end advent with an open-ended invitation to the Lord to come.  But the church is a teacher and puts everything in the right order.  Perhaps the order is that way, so that we can continue. We can wait for his Second Coming with greater expectation and appreciation. I get very much excited about imagining his Second Coming.  How will he come?  Where will he appear? Will all see when he comes again among the clouds?  Will there be a song of the trumpet? Will angels form a sort of stairwell toward heaven?  How will the judgement take place? With all the busyness of the Advent season let’s not forget to be forward-looking.  With all the commercialism of gifts for Christmas, let us not forget a gift is the promise he is coming back!  In the name of our parish staff, Fr. German and myself would like to wish you and all your family a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year, and perhaps we can amend to say A Happy Time Waiting for His Second Coming.