Advent of the Heart

Reflecting on Father Delp’s Legacy

Advent, a season marked by anticipation and preparation, held profound significance for Father Alfred Delp, a German Jesuit priest and martyr executed by the Nazis in 1945. For Father Delp, Advent was not merely about preparing for the celebration of Christmas; it was a call to a transformative encounter with God, a call he encapsulated in what he termed an “Advent of the heart.” In his 1941 sermons, he outlined four ways Advent calls us into deeper communion with God:

1. We are shaken awake.

Advent begins with a jolt. Like the cry of John the Baptist in the wilderness, it disrupts our complacency and demands our attention. Father Delp believed that this “shaking awake” was a divine act of love, a moment when God disturbs our routines to remind us of His presence and purpose. In a world often lulled into spiritual drowsiness by materialism and distraction, Advent is the season to awaken our hearts to God’s reality and our need for Him.

2. We are called to integrity and authenticity.

Advent, according to Father Delp, challenges us to live authentically before God and others. It is a call to examine our hearts, confront our hypocrisies, and align our lives with the truth of the Gospel. Integrity requires courage—especially in times of darkness and trial, as Father Delp himself experienced under the oppressive Nazi regime. For him, this authenticity was not optional but essential; it was the foundation of a life lived in faithful obedience to God.

3. We confess and proclaim our faith.

Advent is also a time for bold confession. It calls us to declare, both in word and deed, our belief in the God who came to dwell among us in Jesus Christ. Father Delp proclaimed his faith even in the face of persecution and death, demonstrating that true confession is not merely intellectual assent but a lived testimony. During Advent, we are invited to proclaim the hope of Christ’s coming—not only in Bethlehem but also in our present circumstances and ultimate future.

4. We respond to God with reverent awe.

Finally, Advent leads us to worship. In the midst of life’s uncertainties and suffering, Father Delp emphasized the importance of responding to God with a heart of awe and reverence. This posture recognizes the mystery and majesty of the God who chose to enter our broken world as a vulnerable child. In Advent, we bow in wonder, not only at the miracle of the Incarnation but also at the ongoing presence of God in our lives.

A Spiritual Program and Way of Life

For Father Delp, the “Advent of the heart” was not confined to the weeks before Christmas. It was a spiritual program, a way of life that prepared believers to meet God in every circumstance. He preached this message amidst personal, social, and historical turmoil, asserting that even suffering could be a context for encountering God. His own life bore witness to this truth. 

Parishioners remembered how, on the Feast of the Presentation in 1941, exactly four years before his execution, Father Delp preached about the symbolism of the blessed candles, which give light at the cost of their own substance. These candles, he explained, are a reflection of the Christian life: a life called to shine brightly, even as it is consumed in service and sacrifice. For Father Delp, this imagery was deeply connected to Advent’s message—a call to offer oneself completely, trusting in the God who brings light into the darkest places.

Imprisoned and awaiting execution, he wrote:

“Light your candles quietly, 

such candles as you possess, 

wherever you are.”

Father Delp’s faith reminds us that Advent is not merely about awaiting a festive holiday; it is about becoming people of hope, integrity, and awe, even in the darkest of times.

Living the “Advent of the Heart” Today

In our modern world, where distractions abound and suffering often feels senseless, Father Delp’s Advent message is more relevant than ever. This season invites us to pause, reflect, and reorient our lives toward the God who comes to us—not only in a manger but in every moment of our existence.

May we, like Father Delp, embrace the “Advent of the heart” as a call to transformation. Let us be shaken awake, live authentically, proclaim our faith boldly, and respond to God with reverent awe. And as we light the candles of Advent, may they remind us of the hope and light that no darkness can extinguish.

Advent Prayer: An “Advent of the Heart”

Lord of light and hope,

Shake us awake from our complacency,

That we may see You at work in our lives.

Grant us the courage to live with integrity,

To align our hearts with Your truth.

Fill us with faith to proclaim Your name,

Even in the midst of darkness and trial.

Humble us with awe at the wonder of Your love,

As we prepare to welcome You anew.

Come, Lord Jesus, and transform our hearts,

That we may live as people of hope,

Reflecting Your light in the world.

Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Faith over Fear

The Light of Fearlessness

Lessons from Mary’s Faith

The birth of Jesus foretold 

Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary is one of the most profound and awe-inspiring moments in Scripture. In this encounter, we find not only the announcement of the Messiah’s birth but also a powerful lesson in courage and faith. The young Mary, likely a teenager, faced a life-altering message, yet her response illuminates a life lived in fearlessness.

“Do not be afraid”

When Gabriel appeared to Mary, his first words after greeting her were, “Do not be afraid” (Luke 1:30). This reassurance was necessary, for the angel brought a message that would overturn every plan Mary had for her life.

Mary’s fear was natural. She was human, after all, and suddenly she stood in the presence of a heavenly being with a message that seemed impossible. The cultural implications of being an unwed mother were daunting, and the responsibility of raising the Son of God was overwhelming. Yet Gabriel reminded her that she was highly favored, chosen by God for this mission.

How often does fear grip us when God calls us to something beyond our understanding? Whether it’s stepping into an unknown future, making a bold decision, or carrying a burden that seems too heavy, fear whispers, “You can’t.” But the light of God’s presence, as it shone on Mary, speaks louder: “Do not be afraid.”

Faith in the Impossible

Mary’s response to Gabriel is stunning: “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34). She doesn’t doubt God’s power but seeks understanding. Gabriel explains that the Holy Spirit will overshadow her, making the impossible possible.

Here, Mary teaches us that faith does not mean blind acceptance without questions. It means trusting God even when we don’t fully comprehend His ways. Gabriel’s reminder—“For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37)—is a beacon for all believers.

In moments of doubt, we must remember that the God who placed the stars in the sky and parted the Red Sea is the same God who works in our lives. The impossible becomes possible when we trust Him.

“I am the Lord’s servant”

Mary’s final words to Gabriel are a testament to her fearless faith:

“I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38).

These words reflect complete surrender. Mary did not have all the answers. She did not know how Joseph would react, how society would treat her, or what the future held. But she knew God, and that was enough.

Her response challenges us to yield our fears, uncertainties, and plans to God’s will. Fearlessness is not the absence of fear; it is the presence of trust. Like Mary, we are called to live as servants of the Lord, trusting Him with our lives and futures.

The Light in the Darkness

Mary’s story is ultimately one of light breaking into darkness. The angelic message to her marked the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior. Jesus, the Light of the World, would dispel fear, sin, and death forever.

When we live in the light of God’s presence, fear loses its grip on us. Fear may still knock on the door, but faith allows us to say, “I am the Lord’s servant. May Your will be done.”

Reflect and Pray

• What fears are you holding onto that prevent you from fully trusting God?

• How can Mary’s example of faith and surrender inspire you to live fearlessly?

Take a moment to pray, asking God to fill your heart with the same courage and trust that Mary displayed. Surrender your fears to Him and walk boldly in His light, knowing that He is faithful and able to do the impossible.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Mary, whose fearless faith inspires us to trust You with our lives. Help us to live in the light of Your presence, surrendering our fears and doubts to You. Remind us that nothing is impossible with You, and guide us to say, “I am the Lord’s servant,” no matter what challenges we face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria