December 6-7, 2025
Dear parishioners,
I have long thought that it is somewhat unfortunate that Advent is so short. Of course, it prepares us for Christmas, which is more important than Advent without a doubt. But, the Church’s love for the month of preparation leading up to our celebration of the Lord’s Nativity goes far back in Church history. Centuries and centuries of reflection on the spiritual realities at the heart of this season have blossomed over time with new prayers and devotions. One major figure that comes to mind is St. Francis of Assisi, who loved meditating on the Incarnation so much that it led him to develop the practice of displaying a creche (nativity scene) with as much realism as possible. Rather than elaborate ornamentation, he preferred to contemplate the reality of Jesus being born in the crude elements of the stable, surrounded by smelly animals, and being adored by Mary, Joseph, and the Magi. One could easily conclude that St. Paul’s words perfectly describe St. Francis’ approach to Advent and Christmas: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9).
In a similar vein, the Church’s long-standing love for the Advent season has produced many beautiful hymns that masterfully capture the spirit of waiting for the coming Messiah. These hymns range in theme, from contemplating the waiting of the Israelite people (O Come, O come Emmanuel, and many others), to trying to enter into Mary’s experience of the Annunciation, her pregnancy and her giving birth.
One such Marian hymn is the Ave Maris Stella (Hail, Star of the Sea). This liturgical hymn was composed in the 8th or 9th century, and wonderfully expresses how Mary serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. On one hand, she is the living embodiment of Israel’s hope. Being without sin, her perfect faith trusted that God would indeed keep the promise he made through the many prophets in Scripture: that he would come to his people to save them in a very real way. The first two verses of this treasured hymn poetically paint the picture that Mary’s hope is fulfilled at the Annunciation (and therefore, Israel’s too):
1. Hail, bright star of the sea,
God’s own Mother blest,
Ever sinless Virgin,
Gate of heavenly rest.
2. Taking that sweet Ave
Which from Gabriel came,
Peace confirm within us,
Reversing Eva’s name.
The candid imagery above carefully employs a clever play on two Latin words: Eva and Ave. As depicted, the “Ave” (“Hail”) comes from the angel Gabriel’s mouth and is received by Mary. By saying “yes” to the angel, Mary reverses Eve’s “no” at the beginning of time, effectively “reversing Eva’s name.”
Mary’s “yes” to the angel Gabriel, and the reversal of our first parents’ sin- these are perfect meditations for the Advent season! Israel’s hope is fulfilled at the Annunciation, and Mary becomes the model of a new and more profound hope. This is why the Church has invoked Mary as the “Star of the Sea” for centuries. Before modern technology, the stars in the sky served as the surest navigational tools by which sailors could stay on their proper course and so arrive at their intended destination. Therefore, Mary serves the same role during our pilgrimage on earth, as Pope Benedict XVI explains: “Human life is a journey towards what destination? How do we find the way? Life is like a voyage on the sea of history, often dark and stormy, a voyage in which we watch for the stars that indicate the route. The true stars of our life are the people who have lived good lives. They are lights of hope. Certainly, Jesus Christ is the true light, the sun that has risen above all the shadows of history. But to reach him we also need lights close by – people who shine with his light and so guide us along our way. Who more than Mary could be a star of hope for us? With her ‘yes’ she opened the door of our world to God himself; she became the living Ark of the Covenant, in whom God took flesh, became one of us, and pitched His tent among us.”
So, although we only get to enjoy the beauty of Advent for a short time, don’t let it slip by without noticing it!
Blessings,
Fr. Ammanniti
