Throughout the weeks of Advent, we have heard about the coming of Christ in his majesty. The Advent liturgy knows we are aware of the whole salvation story. We listen to John the Baptist and Jesus as adults. This helps us think about Isaiah and the prophecies which point to Christ at the end of time.

As December 17 approaches, the Lectionary will shift! We will prepare directly for Christ’s coming at Christmas. We will hear the stories of a Virgin, her visit to her cousin Elizabeth, and Joseph’s dream. All these events point us to Bethlehem.

Why December 17? A Brief History

To answer this question, we must look at the origins of Christmas. Under Emperor Aurelian of Rome, there was a relationship between Romans who worshiped pagans and the Romans who were Christians.

The Emperor saw how the citizens neglected the Roman gods. He declared worship of Sol Invictus, the Unconquered Sun, from which the word Sunday derives. Sol Invictus’ feast was on December 25.

Constantine became Emperor and ended the persecution of Christians. Around 336 AD, a feast celebrating the birth of Christ was celebrated locally in Rome. It slowly spread. The feast of the Unconquered Son now held its place on December 25.

Throughout the Christian story, there was a common understanding of Jesus and a slow development of coherently speaking of Christ. We see this in the development of the councils.

By the sixth century, the four Sundays of Advent were established in the Church’s life. In pagan Rome, there was a feast known as Saturnalia, a feast of merriment, debauchery, and festivities. To counter the celebration of Saturnalia, the Church gave us the O Antiphons.

O Antiphons

Beginning December 17, we will feel the shift in mood within the Advent liturgy. The O Antiphons will help guide our preparation. I will post a meditation on each antiphon every day leading up to Christmas.

These are beautiful meditations of God at work in his Son throughout the history of Israel. This work reaches its culmination in the Christmas story. We know it as the Incarnation.

Stay tuned!