Can you believe we’re halfway through Advent already?! Advent is a time for Christians to prepare for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ – the Word made flesh. Some may wonder what the body and theology have to do with each other, but, according to John Paul II, the fact that theology also includes the body should not be a surprise to anyone if they are “conscious of the mystery and reality of the Incarnation.”
“Through the fact that the Word of God became flesh, the body entered theology – that is, the science that has divinity for its object – through the main door” (TOB 23:4).
For me, the best prayer to help facilitate meditation on this saving event and all that it means is the Angelus, a prayer in honor of the Incarnation. If you’re not already in the habit of praying the Angelus at 6 a.m., noon and/or 6 p.m., Advent is the perfect time to start!
THE ANGELUS
The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord:
Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Hail Mary . . .
And the Word was made Flesh:
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary . . .
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.
Amen.