Advent: A Spiritual Practice for the Holiday Season
Ellen O’Brian hadn’t bought a candy-filled advent calendar in years, but when she saw the festive cardboard box with little numbered panels in her local natural foods store, she couldn’t resist.
Advent’s Origins
Advent calendars like the one O’Brian bought trace their origins to Germany in the 1800s, but the spiritual practice of Advent goes much further back. Church records suggest it was already in place by 567. It was initially conceived as a time of fasting and penitence, not unlike Lent, during which observant Christians prepared themselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Over the centuries it evolved to focus less on sin and more on the themes of love and hope embedded in the Biblical story of Jesus’ birth.
A Time for Contemplation
As the author of the 2022 book “Path of Wonder: A Meditator’s Guide to Advent,” O’Brian’s relationship to the centuries-old Christmas tradition of counting down the days before the holiday is typically less about sugar and more about meditating on a succession of themes tied to the season — lighting up the long dark nights of winter, joy, new life and peace. While she couldn’t help succumbing to the worldly pull of Advent chocolate at the store, she also believes that this year the spiritual practice of Advent is more important than ever.
“Advent is a time to go in, a time to contemplate,” she said. “It’s a time to start preparing for the new life that we hope for in the coming year. Especially now, we need the hope of light and peace.”
Practicing Advent
Traditional Advent practices, which begin this year on Dec. 1 and end on Jan. 6, invite observers to remember that all the decorating, gift shopping, cookie baking and party hopping is ultimately in service of celebrating the things that are most important to us: family, community, faith, generosity and love.
Catholics often honor this time of year by creating an Advent wreath — a circle of greenery with four candles around it that are lit one by one on successive Sundays until all four candles are lit.
Instead of having a candy-filled calendar, some Latino families will create an extended nativity scene at the beginning of Advent with the wise men placed far away in the room. Each Sunday the wise men are moved a little closer to the empty crib as the days tick closer to Christmas when the baby appears.
Making an Advent Practice Your Own
For those who may be seeking a less Jesus-centered practice of Advent, Lori Stanley, director of the Loyola Institute for Spirituality, suggests a modified version of a prayer practice called Lectio Divina, which means divine reading in Latin. It’s traditionally done by reading a piece of scripture (Lectio), reflecting on what you read and how that particular text is speaking to you today (Meditatio), imagining how to prayerfully respond to what the text might be saying or asking of you (Contemplatio) and then sitting quietly, noticing any feelings or emotions that might be coming up (Oratio).
If scripture is not your thing, Stanley says you can just as easily do this practice using a piece of poetry or other art work.
Conclusion
Advent is a time to slow down, reflect, and connect with the things that truly matter. Whether you choose to light a candle, meditate on scripture, or simply indulge in a small piece of chocolate, the key is to make this spiritual practice your own and allow it to bring you hope, peace, and joy during the holiday season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Advent?
A: Advent is a spiritual practice that begins on December 1 and ends on January 6, the day of the Epiphany. It’s a time to prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ and to reflect on the themes of love, hope, and peace.
Q: How do I make an Advent practice my own?
A: You can make an Advent practice your own by experimenting with different activities such as lighting a candle, reading scripture, meditating, or simply taking a few moments each day to reflect on the things that are most important to you.
Q: Is Advent only for Christians?
A: No, Advent is not only for Christians. While it is rooted in Christian tradition, the themes of hope, peace, and love are universal and can be observed by people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Q: Can I use Advent as an opportunity to practice mindfulness?
A: Yes, Advent is a perfect opportunity to practice mindfulness. You can take a few moments each day to focus on your breath, your surroundings, and the present moment, and allow yourself to feel fully engaged in the experience of the season.
Q: Can I make an Advent calendar with non-food items?
A: Yes, you can make an Advent calendar with non-food items such as small toys, trinkets, or inspirational quotes. The idea is to create a sense of anticipation and excitement as you count down the days to Christmas.
