Christmas Lent, Little Lent, St. Philip’s Fast, Winter Lent

The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “arrival.” The Advent season serves as a period of spiritual preparation for the coming of Christmas. Advent calls Christians to reflect on both the birth of JESUS and on the Second Coming of Christ (see also YEAR OF BIRTH JESUS). In Western Christianity Advent begins on the Sunday closest to November 30, St. Andrew’s Day, and lasts till December 24, thereby extending over a period of 22 to 28 days. In the Orthodox Church Advent begins on November 15. The Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran traditions view Advent as the beginning of the Church year. The liturgical color for Advent is purple, reflecting the repentant mood characteristic of early Church Advent observances. By con-trast, many popular customs associated with this period joyfully anticipate the coming of Christmas.
History
In 490 A.D. Bishop Perpetuus of Tours, France, established a period of penance and preparation for Christmas in his diocese. He advocated fasting on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for a forty-day period preceding Christmas. This fast period began on the day after MARTINMAS, November 11, thereby acquiring the name “St. Martin’s Lent” or “The Forty Days’ Fast of St. Martin.” The observation of a period of penance in preparation for Christmas gradually spread throughout FRANCE, and on to SPAIN and GERMANY, though it may have been largely restricted to monastic communities. In Spain groups of Christians were already fasting in preparation for EPIPHANY. In the early years there was little agreement regarding the dates and length of this pre-Christmas fast period. In some areas the fast began on November 11. In others, September 24, November 1, or December 1 might be the starting date. In 581 A.D. the Council of Mâcon ordered the laity throughout France to observe the forty-day period of fasting. Two hundred years later the Advent fast was adopted in England as well.
Advent was not observed in Rome until the sixth century. Pope Gregory I (590-604 A.D.) developed much of the Roman Advent liturgy and shortened the period of observance from six to four weeks. The joyous, festive spirit with which the Romans celebrated Advent clashed with the somber, penitential mood established in Gallic observances. For a number of centuries Advent celebrations throughout western Europe varied in tone, length, and manner of observance. Sometime after 1000 A.D. Rome accepted the practice of fasting during Advent, which in those times meant abstaining from amusements, travel for purposes of recreation, and marital relations, as well as certain foods. In addition, no weddings were permitted during fast periods.
By the thirteenth century the observance of Advent in western Eu-rope had stabilized. It combined the Roman tradition of a four-week observance, the Gallic custom of fasting, and a liturgy that mingled the themes of penance and joy. In recent centuries the Roman Catholic Church reduced, and eventually eliminated, Advent fasting.
The Orthodox Church
The Orthodox churches of eastern Europe developed different traditions. Since the eighth century Orthodox believers have fasted in preparation for Christmas. Orthodox believers fast by eliminating meat, fish, dairy products, wine, and olive oil from their diets for a set period of time. A common Orthodox term for Advent is “Little Lent.” In the Greek tradition, Advent is often called “Christmas Lent,” a period that lasts from November 15 until the eve of December 24 and is observed with fasting, prayer, and almsgiving (see also CHRISTMAS IN GREECE). The Orthodox period of preparation before Christmas may also be called “St. Philip’s Fast” because it begins the day after St. Philip’s Day. Armenian Orthodox believers fast for three weeks out of a seven-week Advent period, which runs from November 15 till January 6. Orthodoxy does not maintain a special liturgy for this period (see also CHRISTMAS IN ARMENIA).
Folk Customs
The folk customs of Advent reflect the anticipation and joy that characterize the weeks preceding Christmas in many countries. In many lands NATIVITY SCENES are constructed and displayed. Advent may also be a favorite time of year to attend special Christmas concerts and performances. Many customs connected with the season feature the lighting of ADVENT CANDLES. Indeed, the candle has become a symbol of the season. Some Christians fashion and display JESSE TREES and CHRISMON TREES in observance of Advent. Others attend special church services, such as the Anglican CERE-MONY OF LESSONS AND CAROLS. The ADVENT WREATH keeps adults focused on the spiritual message of Advent. The ADVENT CALENDAR offers children a toy to help them count the days until Christmas. Other children’s customs include writing letters to the child Jesus or SANTA CLAUS (see also CHILDREN’S LETTERS) and participating in the Hispanic folk play called Las POSADAS, in which children and adults recreate the Holy Family’s search for a place to spend the night in BETHLEHEM.
Frauentragen, or “woman carrying,” is a German Advent custom which closely resembles Las Posadas. Children carry a picture or figurine representing the Virgin MARY to a neighborhood home. Once there, they sing or enact a brief scene from the Nativity story, say a prayer, and place the picture or figurine near the family crucifix. The children return for the image the following evening and carry it to a new home. In this way they act out Mary and JOSEPH’s search for lodging in Bethlehem. On Christmas Eve the children carry Mary back to the church, where she takes her place in the Nativity scene. Musical folk plays were once a popular Advent custom in Germany. Known as Herbergsuchen, or “search for the inn,” this folk drama also reenacted Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. The play ended happily with the birth of the baby Jesus in a stable.
In Latin America and central Europe the nine days before Christmas take on a special character. In Latin America many people participate in a popular novena in honor of the Christ child. A novena is a series of special religious services or private devotions held on nine consecutive days. In Europe the nine days before Christmas were sometimes called the “Golden Nights,” as many of the religious observances and popular celebrations that characterized the period occurred after dark.