Expressing our Devout and Joyful Expectation

Today we begin the Season of Advent, a time that the Church describes as

… a period for devout and joyful expectation.

Sacred Congregation of Rites, General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, n 39

Advent’s character is twofold. Firstly, it is a time when we direct our hearts and minds to the promise that Christ will return at the end of time. The opening of the season focuses intently on this: the Gospel calls to ‘stay awake’ and ‘prepare a way for the Lord’. The prayers at Mass also share this focus.

In the latter part of the season, particularly from 17 December, the second dimension of Advent comes to the fore. The Scripture and prayer texts lead us to Jesus’ coming into the world at Christmas, and we focus on our Advent preparation for the celebration of the Lord’s nativity. Again, the Church tells us:

The weekdays from 17 December to 24 December inclusive serve to prepare more directly for the Lordʼs birth.

General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, n 42

For many years, therefore, we have placed the nativity scene in the narthex close to 17 December. The Advent art and environment in the church, reminding us of this time of preparation and expectation, is complemented by the progressive addition of Christmas elements in the narthex. The Christmas tree, for example, has long been associated in Wentworthville with the annual St Vincent de Paul appeal; calling us to serve those in need.

Unlike other Christmas elements and decorations, however, the nativity scene holds a much loved place in Church tradition as an object of devotion, similar to statues and images of the saints. In recent years, we have worked to ensure the scene is placed and designed in such a way that it can be easily seen from outside, and thus be a focus for personal prayer at any time.

As a focus for devotional prayer, however, it is not appropriate to place a nativity scene in the sanctuary of the church, where our focus is rightly on the liturgy that is the source and summit of Christian life. The Australian Bishops’ document on designing places of worship says:

“A location should be available for seasonal shrines such as the Christmas crib (usually outside the sanctuary)…”

National Liturgical Architecture and Art Council of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, And When Churches Are to Be Built, n 436

The Church’s Book of Blessings is clear in its instruction:

If the manger is set up in the church, it must not be placed in the presbyterium (sanctuary). A place should be chosen that is suitable for prayer and devotion and is easily accessible by the faithful.

Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Book of Blessings, n 1544

The Season of Advent offers us a unique time of renewal and transformation in a world that has been locked on Christmas since Fathers’ Day, and will literally ‘shut up shop’ on Christmas the moment the Boxing Day sales come around. Just as we will continue our Christmas celebrations in the Church throughout the whole season, let us also fully embrace the opportunity that Advent gives us. Mary waited with patient and joyful expectation for the birth of her Son. May we, in that same spirit, give ourselves time and space to prepare for celebrating the profound mystery of God’s dwelling among us.

Robert Barden
Liturgy Coordinator