Advent is a beautiful season of preparation, one that focuses on the glory of God coming down to earth to dwell with us in the Incarnation.
Yet, it’s not always easy focusing on this reality as we are busy about many things during this time of the year.
One resource that is simple and easy to meditate on is the opening prayers for each Sunday of Advent. They are ancient prayers of the Church that provide for us the “spirit” of Advent and help prepare our hearts for the coming feast of Christmas.
Below are the prayers themselves, and if you want to dive deeper, the USCCB provides a spiritual commentary on each one.
First Sunday of Advent
Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God,
the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ
with righteous deeds at his coming,
so that, gathered at his right hand,
they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Second Sunday of Advent
Almighty and merciful God,
may no earthly undertaking hinder those
who set out in haste to meet your Son,
but may our learning of heavenly wisdom
gain us admittance to his company.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Third Sunday of Advent
O God, who see how your people
faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity,
enable us, we pray,
to attain the joys of so great a salvation,
and to celebrate them always
with solemn worship and glad rejoicing.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord,
your grace into our hearts,
that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son
was made known by the message of an Angel,
may by his Passion and Cross
be brought to the glory of his Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Catholics may recognize this last prayer as part of the daily Angelus.
Read more:
Pray for strength against evil with this Advent prayer of Benedict XVI
Read more:
A beautiful Advent hymn written by St. Ambrose to prepare for Christmas
And today we celebrate...