Several authors stated that this period of preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birthday was instituted by Gregory the Great.  It is now traceable to the fourth century in France; in Rome it was of later date.  The Church, as is seen in the Advent Offices in the Breviary, instituted this part of the liturgical year to honour and to recall the two comings of Christ—­His first coming in human form at Bethlehem, as Saviour; and His second coming, as Judge of all mankind.  In her liturgy she expresses repeatedly both sentiments, a sentiment of joy and a sentiment of sorrow.  The former she expresses by her alleluias and the latter by her omission of the Te Deum and by her recital of the ferial prayers, the prayers of tears and grief.

In the Advent Offices are many phrases which were fulfilled at the Incarnation:  “Rorate coeli desuper et nubes pluant Justum; O Adonai, veni ad redimendum nos; Emitte Agnum, Domine, Dominatorum terrae; Orietur sicut sol Salvator mundi et descendet in uterum Virginis.”  Centuries have passed since the Saviour came, and yet the Church wishes us to repeat the sublime prayers and prophecies which associate themselves with the coming of the Word made Flesh, and by our repetition to be animated with the ardent longings of olden days; and that by them we may awaken our faith, our hope, our charity, and obtain and augment God’s grace in our souls.

Rubrics.  The first Sunday of Advent has the invitatory hymn and the rest of the Office proper.  The lessons are from Isaias, the prophet of the Incarnation.  The first response to the lesson is unique in the Breviary for it has three verses (see p. 164).  These three verses are spoken in the names of the holy people who lived before the law, during the law, and after the law.  The Gloria Patri is added to honour the Holy Trinity, who has at length sent the long-watched-for Messias (Durandus).  And the response is repeated from the beginning because the second coming of Christ is watched for, by His faithful (Honorius d’Autun).  The Te Deum is not said, in order thereby to mark the sad thought of the second coming of Christ, then our judge.

Lessons.  From the first Sunday of Advent until the first Sunday of August the lessons of the first and second nocturns are given in the Breviary in the Proprium de Tempore, after the Psaltery.  The lessons of third nocturn for same period are given after those of second nocturn.  The suffrages are not said in Advent.  In Advent the lectio brevis is “Domine miserere.”  In Sunday Matins special versicles are given.  The preces are said at Lauds and Vespers in ferias of Advent and at the small Hours; preces are said, too, if they be said at Lauds.