In the quiet sanctity of Nazareth, the Holy Family exemplifies beauty through humility and devotion, with Mary shining as the epitome of grace and purity. Her life with Joseph, marked by a simple home and mutual reverence reveals a divine harmony that inspires Christians worldwide. This familial splendor links directly to Advent, a season rooted in ancient traditions of preparation for Christ’s birth.
Advent, from the Latin “adventus” meaning “coming,” traces its history to early Christian practices in the West, evolving from a rigorous “second Lent” of fasting—spanning 40 days with three weekly fasts decreed by figures like St. Perpetuus in the fifth century—to the modern four-week observance by the ninth century. For Christians, this time is vital for spiritual renewal, fostering gratitude for Jesus’ sufferings—as St. Alphonsus would describe began in Mary’s womb—and binding souls to divine love amid worldly distractions.
The fourth Sunday of Advent, known as “Rorate,” intensifies this anticipation as the final call to devotion, echoing John the Baptist’s cry in the desert: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord: make straight his paths.”
St. Bernard eloquently stated, “In the first coming, He comes in the flesh and in weakness; in the second, He comes in spirit and in power; in the third, He comes in glory and in majesty,” encapsulating Advent’s profound call to preparation for the coming of the Savior. As Christmas nears, Advent invites believers to emulate Mary’s humility, transforming waiting into wondrous union with the divine.