Advent
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Advent: Not Only About the Birth of Christ
During Advent we are preparing for the coming of Christ. Did you know that this “coming” we await is not only the birth of our Lord? Let’s look at the two expectant events this season calls us to focus on so we may prepare our hearts fully.
Keywords: Advent, Christmas, Nativity, second coming, Jesus, preparation, Catholic Podcast
We’re halfway through Advent.
That means that we only have about 2 weeks until Christmas.
Which probably also means that you just realized that you are way behind on your Christmas shopping.
And that’s why I’ve strategically waited until this week to talk about Advent. So that we keep our heads in the game and stay focused on the true meaning of the Advent season and not freaking out about last minute shopping.
Advent is a period of spiritual preparation for us before Christmas when we focus on the coming of the Lord.
In fact, Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming.”
Now this coming has a two-fold meaning. It’s not only about Jesus being born in a manger.
In the The Catechism we see this duel meaning at work.
One the one hand, we do focus on the birth of Christ. But we do it by looking back and rekindling the expectancy the Jewish people experienced while awaiting the Messiah.
Also when we’re looking back on the Nativity of the Lord, we should ponder in our heart the mystery of the Incarnation of God. And not in a, “Oh that’s nice.” kind of way. But to really sit with and chew over how revolutionary it was and what it means that God took on our humanity and entered into the world he created in order to free us from sin so we may share eternity with him.
If you’ve never done this before or just want a deeper appreciation of this, call on mama Mary. Scripture tells us that she ponder all these things in her heart. All of it.
Now, On the other, by tapping into this longing, get this, there should arise up in us a renewed desire for His second coming! And an implied sense to live a life of grace so we may be found worthy during our judgement.
It’s a classic both/and Catholic situation!
The Nativity makes the second coming sweeter and the second coming makes the nativity awe inspiring!
On the other hand, we recall in the Creed that our Lord will come again to judge the living and the dead and that we must be ready to meet Him.
Doesn’t that excite you?!
Now that we’re excited about finishing Advent with a bang, the question becomes how? How can I make the most out of these last two weeks of Advent?
Looking back at its origins will help us to identify with early Christians during this season of Advent and learn something from them that we can apply to our spiritual lives today.
Since the celebration of Advent has evolved in the spiritual life of the Church, we’re going to go over its history and liturgical practices.
As with all of our liturgical season, Advent developed naturally over time. It has always been viewed as a period of preparation. The earliest practice of Advent was in France, and ended on the Feast of the Epiphany, and it was the time when converts were baptized.
Epiphany is in January, and now in the Roman rite now commemorates the coming of the three Magi which is important because the Magi we gentiles and this meeting signified Jesus revealing himself to the gentiles.
In the Eastern Catholic rites as well as Orthodox Christians, the epiphany commemorates Christ’s baptism in the Jordon. This reveals to the world that Jesus is the Son of God.
It makes sense then that during these early beginnings of Advent in France, the preparatory efforts reached it’s heights on the day of Jesus baptism with the baptism of converts.
What did this perperation look like?
Well it was very similar to Lent. The emphasis was on prayer and fasting which lasted three weeks and later was expanded to 40 days.
In the late 300’s we hear of Advent in Spain. In a local council, the Council of Saragossa, three-weeks of fast before Epiphany was established.
200 years later, in France at the small local Council of Macon they we’re inspired by the Lenten fasting strictures, and required fasting from mid-Novmber (my birthday to be specific) until Christmas on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
These practices began to spread to England. Made their way to Rome, in the sixth century. Here like in France, the preparation was geared toward Christmas not Epiphany. But unlike France, the custom wasn’t a penitential one.
These are all examples of local formalizations of the Advent season. The hierarchical Church also gradually formalized the celebration of Advent as a period of spiritual preparation for Christmas.
In the 400’s Pope St. Gelasius I was the first to provide specific Advent liturgies for five Sundays. Pope Gregory VII would later reduce those 5 Sundays to four in the 11th century.
But before that would happen, Pope St. Gregory I beefed up these liturgies by composing thematic prayers, readings, responses, and antiphons in the late 500’s.
Much later in the 11th centurcy Pope St. Gregory VII (d. 1095) later reduced the number of Sundays in Advent to four. Finally, about the ninth century, the Church designated the first Sunday of Advent as the beginning of the Church year.
Here’s my last tidbit about the history of Advent. In case you haven’t noticed the Church year always starts with the first Sunday of Advent. And it always has since the 9th century.
And I love that. I have been pondering that lately. Think about it, we start our year, pondering the beginning of Christianity as well as end of our lives here on earth on our minds. The begining and the end. How apt.
It’s obvious this season of Advent has been, since it’s beginnings, a special and spiritually enriching time of year for the Catholic people.
Applying this knowledge to us now.
In the Byzantine Catholic tradition we fast. Fasting a beautiful, enlightening, way to prepare your heart and your spirit throughout the year for different feasts. If you think you might want to add fasting to the rest of your Advent, or you are curious to know the benefits of it, I have an episode called, “Why Fasting Isn’t just for Lent.” Listen to that.
My parents are still Roman Catholic and they use an Advent wreath and the accompanied Advent mass readings to assist them prepare for Christ. When we were little, my mom had my brother and I also used Advent calendars also. I loved those because they had treats in them! Which is awesome, not just because of the treat but of the lesson it teaches children about joyful expectancy.
Now maybe we weren’t able to connect the dots and transfer our eager anticipation of the daily treat to the anticipation we should have for1.) the coming of the Messiah or 2.) the second coming of the Lord. Not at that time, but as adults it defiantly did shape the way we approach Advent.
If you set out to use any of those aids at the beginning of Advent and you have slacked off since then, here is your oportunity to get back on that horse. Or you haven’t unpacked or set yours up. Do it now!!
Jesus doesn’t discriminate, remember the parables of the works who worked only one hour but still received the same wage as those who worked all day? Just sayin. Don’t mis out.
But most importantly! Pay attention to the liturgy! The readings in the mass during this time of year in the Roman Rite are the best way to really do Advent like a boss.
I love how the Old Testament readings of prophecies of the Messiah that was to come. A number of these are from Isaiah—who’s amazing. We also hear the prophecies of John the Baptist.
Readings and practices of the Advent season emphasize both penitence and the joyful expectation of the Lord’s coming. From the First Sunday of Advent to 16 December, the liturgical focus is on penitence and preparation for the second coming—with readings centered around the messianic prophecies of John the Baptist and Isaiah, and gospel selections which depict Jesus as the fulfillment of those prophecies. Also during this period, violet vestments are worn by the clergy (rose vestments are also acceptable on the Third, or “Gaudete” Sunday), further emphasizing the theme of repentance.
Liturgies of the final week of Advent focus on the approaching birth of Christ, with the role of the Blessed Mother receiving special emphasis. The observation of a preparatory season prior to the celebration of Christmas dates back to the fourth century.
When we get to the Gospel, my mind is always blown because they depict Jesus as the fulfillment of those prophecies.. Look I have an advanced degree in this stuff, which is proof that no matter how much to know you can still be captivated by Gods divine orcisration, percission, and care he took to prepare us for the gift of salvation he intended to give us in Jesus.
When we get to the Gospel,
Readings and practices emphasize both penitence and joyful expectency of the Lord’s coming.
The first three weeks focus on penitence and preparation for the second coming.
We get Old Testament readings of prophecies of the Messiah that was to come. A number of these are from Isaiah. And we also hear the prophecies of John the Baptist. When we get to the Gospel, they depict Jesus as the fulfillment of those prophecies.
and gospel selections which depict Jesus as the fulfillment of those prophecies.
Glazier, M., & Hellwig, M. K. (2004). In The modern Catholic encyclopedia (Rev. and expanded ed., p. 12). Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press.
There are also apostolic readings by the apostles which give us an exhortation of sorts to keep us on track and focused on the Christian life.
We also see John the BaptisThere are also apostolic readings by the apostles which give us an exhortation of sorts to keep us on track and focused on the Christian life.
The Old Testament readings are prophecies of the Messiah and of Messianic times, especially from the book of Isaiah.
The apostolic readings provide exhortations and proclamations in keeping with the different Advent themes.
coming up in the final week of Advent our focus will be on the approaching birth of Christ and our Blessed Mother receives particular attention.
penitence and preparation for the second coming
Liturgies of the final week of Advent focus on the approaching birth of Christ, with the role of the Blessed Mother receiving special emphasis.
Go to the usccb website and read the daily readings even if you are not attending daily mass.
Glazier, M., & Hellwig, M. K. (2004). In The modern Catholic encyclopedia (Rev. and expanded ed., p. 12). Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press.