“Advent is traditionally a period of fasting and prayer as we prepare ourselves for the great day of our salvation. But we must remember that it is also a time of joy and anticipation.”
It is a time of testing, preparation, and joy.
The Angel of the Desert
In traditional Christian imagery John the Baptist, or John the Forerunner is depicted with the wings of an angel. This is not to suggest that John was an angel in the sense that he was a creature of pure spirit such as Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Rather the angelic wings speak to his role as a messenger, the Angel (or messenger) of the Desert.
The word “angel” comes from the Greek word “angelos” meaning messenger. This image of John the Baptist evokes the opening lines of the Gospel according to Mark, “”Behold, I send my messenger (angelos) before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths” Mark 1:2-3.
Often in this pattern or composition, there is also a tree next to him with an axe lodged in the tree or lying nearby.
Typical of liturgical imagery, it is a complex composition giving us much to contemplate. In this time of Advent the axe and the tree are a sobering reminder that this is a time to test our resolve to follow the teachings of Christ. “Every tree which does not show good fruit will be hewn down and cast into the fire.” Luke 3:9 If we fall short of this test, if we find that we do not bear “good fruit” we can resolve to do better while we still have time.
In a sense the Forerunner continues his ministry even today. He is the messenger sent by God to prepare the way of the Lord. He preaches “good news to the people.” As we await the coming, or advent, of the Lord, John appears in our readings from scripture to encourage us to to repent of our sins and prepare for our salvation.
Advent is traditionally a period of fasting and prayer as we prepare ourselves for the great day of our salvation. But we must remember that it is also a time of joy and anticipation. The Third Sunday of Advent is sometimes called Gaudete Sunday. The celebration of Mass for this day begins with the word “gaudete” the Latin word for rejoice. We rejoice over the coming of the Lord, both as the child in Bethlehem and as the great judge during the last days.
The rose colored candle in the Advent wreath is not an indication of a lessening of our advent preparation, but rather it is a reminder that the entire season of our preparation is a season of joy as we anticipate our freedom from the bondage of sin.
In his book “The Spirit of the Liturgy,” Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI, argued that there are three types of artistic styles or periods that are most appropriate to the liturgy, the Iconographic, the Gothic, and the Baroque. The Iconographic and the Gothic are closely related, it is easy to see how one builds on the other. But what about the Baroque? Why is it particularly suited to liturgical celebration?
The Art of the Counter-Reformation
The art of the Baroque is the art of the Counter-Reformation, the Church’s response to the Reformation that splintered the unity of Catholics. Baroque art is intended to draw the faithful back to their traditions with splendor, grandeur, beauty, and symbolism. Nearly every element in Baroque painting carried some symbolic, Christian, meaning. Even, or perhaps, especially, the lighting in the painting palyed an important role.
I once heard of a docent leading a group of visitors through an exhibition of Baroque art. One painting featured a still life of fruit that was heavily shrouded in darkness. When one of the guests asked why there was so much dark shadow in the work, the docent explained that it was indicative of the artist’s mood when he was painting it. This is a very modern interpretation, that paintings echo particular periods in an artist’s life. It is an interpretation that unfortunately leads us to overlook the incredible accomplishments of Baroque art.
For the Counter-Reformation artist, the light and darkness in their paintings represented man’s struggle against the darkness of sin and death. Christ rescues us from the darkness and brings us into the light. This is even true of the mythological paintings of the period.
Guido Reni was one of the leading painters of the period and many of his works are still beloved to this day. In the year 1613 he was commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese to paint the ceiling of his small summer house. The result was a fresco known as Aurora. It depicts the ancient Greek goddess of the dawn, leading Apollo the sun-god, as he drives back the darkness of the night to begin a new day. Aurora is accompanied by Phosphoros, the morning star, depicted here as a cherub. Apollo is surrounded by elegant female figures representing the hours.
It may seem odd that a prince of the Church would have such pagan imagery decorating his house. But to the Baroque mind it is a Christian allegory. Christ comes to drive away the darkness of sin and death and usher mankind into a new age of light and light. In this season of Advent, as we approach the shortest day of the year the painting serves as a poignant reminder. Even though the world seems to darken with each passing day, we are filled with joy.
During Advent we tend to focus on fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. We count our many blessings and are especially attentive to the needs of others. There is a penitential flavor to the season as we anticipate the end of all things and the final judgment. But it is also a time of preparation and joy as we look forward to the birth of the one who will make all things new. The third Sunday of Advent is a time when the purple of the penitent is mingled with the white of the purified.
Pax Vobiscum
3rd Sunday of Advent