Preparing the Heart for Advent: A Pastoral Call to Watchfulness, Silence, and Holy Desire
As the liturgical year draws to a close, Holy Mother Church turns our gaze once more toward Advent—the season in which the world’s long night breaks open with promise. The prophets strain forward, the Baptist cries out in the wilderness, and Our Lady carries within her the hidden Light of the world. In these sacred weeks, the Church invites us to enter not into festivity, but into longing; not into sentimentality, but into contemplation; not into haste, but into hope.
Advent is often misunderstood, overshadowed by the premature noise of Christmas commerce. But the saints and centuries teach that Advent is a spiritual treasure chest—a time of recollection, conversion, and expectation. To live it well requires preparation. To enter it fruitfully requires intention. And so, before the first candle is lit, the faithful are called to begin orienting the heart toward the mystery of the coming Christ.
The Silence of Expectation: Entering the Stillness Where God Speaks
Advent begins in quietness, for God’s greatest works begin in stillness. The Eternal Word took flesh in the silence of Nazareth. The prophets received revelation not in storms or earthquakes, but in the “still small voice.”¹ Israel learned to wait upon the Lord “in quietness and in trust.”² Silence is not the absence of noise, but the atmosphere of faith.
In our age of artificial urgency, Advent stands as a counter-culture. The world wants distraction; the soul needs silence. Preparing for Advent means discerning now what noise may be surrendered—whether excessive social media, constant entertainment, or unnecessary busyness. Even ten minutes a day of quiet recollection allows the heart to become receptive, attentive, and spacious for grace.
The saints testify to this necessity. St John of the Cross teaches that the soul hears God only when “freed from the clamour of created things.”³ Benedict XVI remarked that Advent invites us “to make within ourselves a dwelling place for God.”⁴ Such a dwelling must be uncluttered, peaceful, and open.
The Call to Conversion: Confession as the Gateway to the Nativity
Advent is a season of holy desire, but desire must be purified. The Church does not prepare us for Christmas through sentiment but through penance. John the Baptist, Advent’s austere herald, commands the faithful: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.”⁵ Every valley filled, every mountain laid low—this is the work of repentance.
The grace of confession is the privileged path of Advent. Now is the moment to examine the conscience, to consider the patterns of sin that obscure Christ’s coming within the soul. Pride, anger, impurity, spiritual indifference, unforgiveness—these form the rugged landscape that must be leveled.
St Augustine teaches that Christ is born in the soul only when humility prepares the place.⁶ St Ambrose adds that “He who removes sin prepares the cradle for the Infant Christ.”⁷ To begin Advent with a clean heart is to prepare the finest manger for the Lord.
The Prophets Speak Again: Immersing Ourselves in the Scriptures of the Season
Advent is the Church’s great return to the prophets. Isaiah paints with unmatched beauty the world’s expectation for the Redeemer: the people who walk in darkness seeing a great Light; the shoot from the stump of Jesse; the Virgin conceiving Emmanuel.⁸ Jeremiah proclaims the righteous Branch who will execute justice.⁹ Micah foretells Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah.¹⁰
The Fathers never separated liturgy from Scripture. St Jerome reminds us that “ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”¹¹ Preparing for Advent therefore means choosing a daily Scriptural practice—small, steady, prayerful. Reading a few verses each day from Isaiah, the infancy narratives, or St John’s majestic prologue attunes the soul to the season’s supernatural atmosphere.
The Scriptures of Advent sharpen our desire and awaken eschatological hope. They remind us that Christ comes not only in the manger but also at the end of time, and even now through grace. Advent is therefore not merely a historical remembrance but a mystical participation in the whole mystery of Christ’s coming.
Sanctifying the Home: The Domestic Church in Watchful Preparation
The Church teaches that the family home is a “domestic sanctuary.”¹² In Advent, that sanctuary becomes the first Bethlehem. Before the commercial symbols appear, the faithful are encouraged to prepare their dwellings intentionally—to allow the atmosphere of the home to reflect the sacred character of the season.
The Advent wreath, with its purple candles and single rose, teaches patience and unfolding hope. A prayer corner with a candle burning in the evening reminds us of the Light that the darkness cannot overcome. Sacred music—Gregorian chant, traditional Advent hymns such as Rorate Caeli and Veni, Veni Emmanuel—lifts the soul into the mystery of expectation.
Even children can be drawn into this preparation: through Jesse trees, simple devotions, Scripture verses, or acts of family charity. A home that breathes Advent becomes a lamp to the parish, a testimony that Christ—not consumerism—is the centre of Christmas.
Hidden Charity: Making Room for Christ by Serving Him in the Poor
The humility of the Christ-Child compels the humility of the Christian heart. In Advent, we do not simply contemplate the poverty of Bethlehem; we imitate it. Small, deliberate acts of charity—done quietly, without fanfare—are powerful ways to prepare for Christmas.
St Leo the Great teaches that charity “purifies and enlarges the heart, making it worthy of the feast of the Nativity.”¹³ The corporal and spiritual works of mercy remain perennial guides: visiting the sick, comforting the sorrowful, supporting struggling families, giving alms in secret, reconciling with those estranged from us.
The Incarnation reveals a God who draws near to human suffering. Advent calls us to do the same.
Restoring Holy Desire: The Three Comings of Christ
Advent teaches us to long. St Bernard of Clairvaux speaks of the three comings of Christ: His historical coming in Bethlehem, His future coming in glory, and His mystical coming into the soul.¹⁴ To restore Advent longing is to prepare for all three.
The faithful should begin now asking:
What grace do I truly desire from Christ this Christmas?
What healing, conversion, or renewal must I ask Him to bring?
Advent awakens hope that has grown tired. It stretches the heart toward eternity. It reminds the faithful that the world is passing—but Christ is coming.
Conclusion: The Lord Is Near
Advent is brief but rich. It is the threshold of the mystery of the Incarnation. To enter it unprepared is to miss a season of immense grace. But to begin preparing now—to choose silence, seek confession, open Scripture, sanctify the home, practice charity, and renew longing—is to meet Christ with a heart made ready.
The world rushes. The Church waits.
The world decorates. The Church watches.
The world celebrates early. The Church longs for the coming King.
Christ is near. Let us prepare to welcome Him with hearts renewed, humbled, and filled with hope.
Traditional and Practical Preparations for Advent
1. Prepare Jesse Tree Decorations
The Jesse Tree is a powerful way to teach salvation history day by day.
Begin preparing now by:
- Cutting out or crafting the ornaments (symbol for each prophecy or biblical figure).
- Printing Scripture readings for each day.
- Setting aside a small bare branch or small tree to hang the symbols on.
- Assigning family members to read or hang each ornament.
This ensures you can begin on Day 1 of Advent without scrambling.
2. Gather All Materials to Make an Advent Wreath
Rather than rushing in the first week of Advent, prepare the wreath now.
- Purchase or collect evergreen branches (fir, box, holly).
- Obtain 3 violet candles and 1 rose candle; or candle sleeves if using tapers.
- Check or replace last year’s ribbon, wire, frame, or pins.
- Prepare a table space where the wreath will sit.
- Consider adding a simple prayer card beside it for lighting rituals.
Making the wreath is the first liturgical “act” of the domestic church before Advent begins.
3. Prepare or Purchase a Traditional Advent Calendar
A traditional Advent calendar avoids chocolate and commercial imagery.
You may prepare one by:
- Making a homemade paper or cloth calendar with Scripture verses each day.
- Preparing a “reverse Advent calendar” (a basket where the family adds one food item or charitable gift per day).
- Choosing a devotional calendar from a monastery or Catholic publisher.
- Using a wooden box calendar with small spiritual tasks or virtues behind each door.
This helps keep the focus on prayer, expectation, and daily devotion.
4. Prepare Christmas Cake or Pudding Mixture in Advance
Traditionally “Stir-Up Sunday” (the last Sunday before Advent) was the day families prepared Christmas puddings and fruitcakes.
Doing this before Advent preserves Advent as a season of quiet, not frantic baking.
- Assemble ingredients (dried fruits, spices, suet/butter, treacle).
- Let children or family members each take a turn stirring the mixture.
- Pray the traditional “Stir-Up” Collect while mixing.
- Store the cake or pudding to mature throughout Advent.
This marks the threshold into the season with beautiful symbolism.
5. Prepare the Nativity Set — But Leave the Stable Empty
Before Advent begins:
- Locate and clean the crib figures.
- Repair any damaged pieces.
- Prepare a small table or shelf for the Nativity scene.
Do not place the Christ Child in the manger until Christmas Eve.
Some families even leave the entire set aside until late Advent, adding figures slowly to represent the journey toward Bethlehem.
6. Organise and Clean the Prayer Space or Family Shrine
This is often forgotten but makes a profound difference.
Before Advent:
- Declutter the prayer corner.
- Replace old candles.
- Put out a purple cloth or runner.
- Place a crucifix, icon, or Bible in a visible place.
- Prepare matches, incense, and a clean candle holder.
A tidy prayer space encourages daily devotion.
7. Prepare Materials for Advent Devotions and Readings
Before Advent begins, gather:
- A Bible opened to Isaiah.
- A daily devotional or Advent reflection book.
- A list of O Antiphon dates.
- Printed Scripture readings for the Jesse Tree or Advent wreath.
- A booklet or prayer sheet for lighting the wreath each evening.
This prevents the “where did I put that book?” scramble once Advent starts.
8. Plan and Set Up a “Sacred Silence Hour” Each Day
Before Advent, decide:
- Which hour of the day will be the household’s time of quiet?
- Will screens be off?
- Will this be the moment when the wreath is lit?
- Will it include Scripture, hymn singing, or silent prayer?
This gives Advent a rhythm reminiscent of monastic life.
9. Prepare Charitable Projects in Advance
Advent is short; charity must be organised early.
Prepare now by:
- Selecting one charity or parish family to support.
- Pre-buying non-perishable food for hampers.
- Setting up a “charity basket” near the prayer space.
- Preparing envelopes or small boxes for secret almsgiving.
This allows charity to be built into the rhythms of Advent rather than added as an afterthought.
10. Plan Household Simplicity and Reduce December Overload
Practical preparation prevents Advent from being swallowed by busyness.
Before Advent begins:
- Finish major Christmas shopping.
- Plan travel logistics.
- Clean and simplify communal rooms.
- Prepare menus for Advent Sundays and Gaudete Sunday.
- Decide which events not to attend to preserve spiritual space.
This protects Advent’s contemplative character.
11. Select Sacred Music and Remove Premature Christmas Noise
Before Advent begins:
- Create a playlist of Advent hymns and chants (Rorate Caeli, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, medieval antiphons).
- Remove or postpone Christmas music until Christmas Eve.
- If possible, introduce moments of family singing or listening to sacred music together.
This gently forms hearts in holy expectation.
12. Create an Advent Rule of Life
Write a simple one-page plan that includes:
- Prayer commitments
- Acts of charity
- Areas of self-denial
- Scripture or devotional reading
- Family spiritual practices
- Days of confession, Mass, or Rorate services
Place it beneath the Advent wreath or in the prayer corner.
- 1 Kings 19:12.
- Isaiah 30:15.
- John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel, II.26.
- Benedict XVI, General Audience, 28 November 2007.
- Matthew 3:3; cf. Isaiah 40:3.
- Augustine, Sermon 185, on the Nativity.
- Ambrose, Exposition of the Gospel of Luke, II.7.
- Isaiah 7:14; 9:2–7; 11:1–9.
- Jeremiah 23:5–6.
- Micah 5:2.
- Jerome, Commentary on Isaiah, Prologue.
- John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio, n. 55 (1981).
- Leo the Great, Sermon 12 on the Nativity.
- Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermon 5 on Advent.
Latest
- Today’s Mass: December 19th Ember Friday in AdventThe Ember Saturday in Advent emphasizes fasting and preparation for the arrival of the Lord, culminating in a significant Mass with historical roots tied to St. Peter’s tomb. With ancient lessons from Isaiah and teachings on repentance through John the Baptist, the liturgy reflects themes of salvation, healing, and the anticipation of Christ’s coming.
- 03 O Antiphons: O Radix JesseThe third Great “O” Antiphon emphasizes the paradox of the Messiah, who emerges from the seemingly extinguished lineage of David, represented as a stump. This highlights God’s promise, affirming that Christ, the Root of Jesse, embodies eternal kingship through humility. The Church pleads for His arrival amidst enduring sin and suffering.
- 21.12.25 Nuntiatoria LXXXV: Veni EmmanuelAdvent, framed by Rorate caeli, gives this edition its governing logic: salvation and justice descend from above but require an earth opened by fasting, restraint, and fidelity. Set within Gaudete Sunday and the Advent Embertide, the editorial connects the contemporary crises in law, conscience, universities, and the liturgy itself, arguing that where truth is replaced by narrative and worship by management, justice cannot arise. Renewal begins not with control, but with receptivity.
- From the Primus 21.12.25The edition of Nuntiatoria, during Advent, critiques ecclesial uncertainties and cultural disintegration. It examines episcopal governance and public morality, highlighting growing Christian marginalization and the displacement of true beliefs. Through worship, it emphasizes the need for fidelity rather than reinvention, seeking to strengthen hope amid societal confusion and faith challenges.
- ORDO w/c 21.12.25 – 05.01.26The document details the liturgical calendar from December 21 to January 5, covering significant feasts, including the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Christmas, and subsequent commemorations. It emphasizes themes of preparation, celebration, and reflection within the Advent season and highlights key figures like St. Thomas, St. Stephen, and St. John.
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