The History of Advent
Advent is an important time for Catholics. We need to prepare for three things:
Like Lent, we spend many days preparing our hearts before celebrating Christ's arrival. But, where did Advent come from?
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Origins?
We don't know the exact origin, but, Advent existed after Christmas. The eastern church did not celebrate Christmas until close to the 4th century. But, the western church did much earlier.
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The first official document we know of comes from St. Gregory of Tours. He explains that St. Perpetuus in 480 decreed a fast three times a week. This would happen between the feast of St. Martin of Tours (November 11th) until Christmas Day.
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This adds up to an interval of around 40 days, just like a second Lent.
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In 582, the first Council of Macon (in France) made it official. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays the faithful would observe a Lenten fast.
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Developments
For monks, the second Council of Tours in 567 had them fast every day in December. This practice then extended for 40 days, and then the laity had to follow it, too. This became known as St. Martin's Lent. They celebrated St. Martin's feast day like we do with Ash Wednesday for Lent.
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After France, it spread to England, Italy, Germany, and then Spain.
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But, over the centuries the Church found that the laity (and even priests) were not observing the fasts.
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Between the 9th and 11th centuries, St. Martin's Lent shrunk over time to around 4 weeks (like today).
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Soon, the disciplines moved from fasting to simple abstinence. Then in the 12th century, the Church only required the clergy to observe abstinence.
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By the 13th century, most areas only had monks observing abstinence.
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By 1362, Pope Urban V asked only the priests in his personal court to keep abstinence. He didn't want the practice to die out completely.
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Modern Times
In the 18th century, Pope Benedict XIV addressed the situation. By then, the laity saw Advent as something that only monks and the clergy care about.
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He declared this line of thinking as rash and scandalous. Even if he did not require any fasting or abstinence, the Church still needed to prepare their hearts for Christmas.
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For the last 1,000 years, the Church still celebrates Advent for four Sundays. Although the form looks different, the desire remains the same: to prepare for the coming of Christ.
Further Resources
Video - The True Meaning of Advent | Fr. Mike Schmitz | Ascension Presents Fr. Mike wants to remind us that Advent is not just about preparing for Christmas. It’s also about preparing for Christ’s Second Coming. One day we will meet Christ face to face.
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Video - Great Family Activities for Advent | Jackie and Bobby Angel The waiting of Advent can be a time filled with great family activities and memories. Jackie and Bobby share some activities for Advent that have helped make the season more meaningful in their family.
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Article - Are You Preparing for Finals or Christmas? How to Live This Advent Well How can we live in a world preparing for the end of the semester and break plans and not forget to prepare for Christmas? Thankfully, the Church has some advice for us!
The endurance of darkness is the preparation for great light.
- St. John of the Cross