PREPARING FOR ADVENT

Advent is a Season for Silence, Mystery, and Holiness 

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

Introduction

Advent, in the Western Orthodox tradition, is a season of quiet anticipation, fasting, and prayer. It stands as a stark contrast to the secular world’s frenetic celebration of “the holidays,” with its focus on materialism and consumption. This sacred time invites us to slow down, detach from worldly distractions, and prepare our hearts for the Feast of the Nativity—the celebration of the Incarnation, the moment when God became man and “tabernacled” among us (John 1:14). 

The Mystery of the Incarnation 

St. John’s prologue sets the tone for our Advent meditation: 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14). 

The Greek term for “dwelt” (“eskenōsen”) carries the rich imagery of God “tabernacling” among His people, as He once did in the wilderness with Israel. But now, in the mystery of the Incarnation, this indwelling is not in a tent or temple but within human nature itself. St. Irenaeus of Lyon marvels at this in “On Apostolic Preaching”: 

“By His Incarnation, Christ has summed up humanity in Himself, restoring communion with God which had been broken.” 

St. Maximos Confessor expands on this, teaching that in the Incarnation, Christ not only unites humanity with divinity but also makes possible the deification of humanity: 

“The Word of God, becoming man, established in Himself the whole creation and, in so doing, healed the rupture between heaven and earth.” 

The Spiritual Warfare in Advent 

Advent is a time of spiritual warfare. St. John Chrysostom reminds us that fasting and prayer are our weapons in this battle: 

“Fasting is the nourishment of the soul; it gives wings to the spirit and makes it bold to ascend on high. It is the foundation of all virtues, the source of chastity, and the cause of meekness and patience.” 

In fasting, we recognize our dependence on God and prepare our hearts to receive Christ anew. By withdrawing from the excesses of the world, we cultivate a space where His peace can dwell, pushing back against the consumerism and distractions that threaten to overwhelm the true meaning of the season.

Advent as a Time of Pious Practice 

Western Orthodox Christians follow a cycle of readings, prayers, and hymns that reflect on Christ’s coming in history, in mystery, and in glory. The Nativity Fast, though less rigorous than Lent, invites believers to abstain from rich foods and focus on acts of charity. Daily prayer services, such as Vespers and Compline, take on a reflective tone, with prophecies from Isaiah and the Gospels pointing to the fulfillment of God’s promises in the Messiah. 

Theologically, Advent is a time to meditate on what St. John Damascene describes as the opposite of Christ’s “indwelling”, a calling to the discipline of “kenosis”, or “self-emptying,” which makes room for Jesus to manifest in our hearts as He manifested to the world in a humble manger bed: 

“The Lord assumed our nature, but without sin, becoming what we are that He might make us what He is by grace.” 

This profound truth shapes the personal piety of Advent. By contemplating Christ’s humility and His entry into the world through the womb of the Virgin, we are called to imitate His self-giving love. 

“Little Lent” is a Time to Practice Silence and Giving in a Communal Context 

Quiet Holiness Amid the Noisy Hustle

In the midst of the secular hustle and bustle, Advent offers a countercultural witness. It is a time to reclaim silence and stillness, carving out a space for the Holy Spirit to work within us. As St. John Chrysostom eloquently states: 

“Let the manger of your heart be prepared, that Christ may be born in you anew. Let your soul be a stable for Him to dwell, for He comes not to dwell in riches, but in humility.” 

Through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, we prepare not only to celebrate the Nativity but to receive the life of the Holy Trinity. In Christ’s birth, we see the union of heaven and earth, making the divine life accessible to all humanity. 

Advent: The Fulfillment of All Things 

Advent calls us to remember that Christ's first coming points toward His second. We await not only the celebration of His birth but the fulfillment of His Kingdom. As St. Maximos reminds us, Christ’s Incarnation is the cornerstone of cosmic reconciliation: 

“Through the mystery of the Incarnation, all things are united in Christ, and the fullness of the divine life is offered to the world.” 

This Advent, may we resist the noise and distractions of the season. Let us embrace its quiet holiness, allowing Christ to be born in our hearts once more, so that we, too, may “behold His glory” and share in the life of the Holy Trinity, both now and in the age to come.

COLLECT 

O ETERNAL WORD, who in the fullness of time didst take upon Thee our humanity, that we might be restored to fellowship with the Holy Trinity: Grant us grace, we beseech Thee, to prepare our hearts through fasting, prayer, and holy quietness, that we may worthily celebrate Thy Nativity; and, beholding the mystery of Thine Incarnation, may be transformed into Thy likeness, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.