Advent Encouragement to Clergy & Fellowship Leaders
CELTIC ADVENT SEASON
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the ministry,
Grace and peace to you in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are now entering the holy season of Celtic Advent — a time of quiet preparation, prayer, fasting, and joyful expectation of Christ our King. This is a season for watchfulness, humility, and spiritual renewal: a time to set aside noise and distraction in order to prepare a place in our hearts and homes for the coming of the Lord.
To support our clergy, home gatherings, and small fellowships, we have prepared several resources that may be shared freely with your congregations and families.
📄 Pastoral Advent Handout (Recommended)
A beautiful and practical guide to the meaning of this season, including prayer focus, fasting customs, Scripture, and spiritual reflection.
🔗 Read & Download here:
(Insert link to the handout page once published)
We encourage ministers to print or forward this handout as an aid for personal devotion, family worship, and parish instruction.
📚 Two Background Articles for Study and Teaching
These articles offer theological reflection and historical grounding surrounding Advent, the Incarnation, and the dating of the Nativity:
Advent in the Historic Church & the Celtic Tradition
A scholarly overview of Advent, the Incarnation, patristic witness, and early Celtic practice.Tabernacles Rather Than December 25th Was Kept by the Majority Mainstream in Asia Minor for 400 Years
A Scriptural and historical timeline showing the biblical reckoning of Christ’s birth at the Feast of Tabernacles and His conception in late December.
🔗 All available at: www.CelticOrthodoxy.com
The Heart of This Season
Advent reminds us that we are called not to celebration first, but to preparation, keeping watch like the wise virgins whose lamps were filled with oil. As the Lord Himself said:
“Then shall they fast.” — Matthew 9:15
We reflect on the holy mystery of the Incarnation, when Christ first entered the world through the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, nine months before His Nativity at the Feast of Tabernacles. In this season we give thanks that:
“By Him all things consist.” — Colossians 1:17
May this be for us a time of:
Renewed prayer,
Generous charity,
Quietness of heart,
Watchfulness,
Repentance,
And holy expectation of His coming.
A Word of Encouragement to Our Ministers
Whether you shepherd many or few, or whether your congregation meets in a chapel, a living room, or around a kitchen table, please make full use of these resources. Let us nurture our people in reflection upon Christ daily—encouraging every home to become a sanctuary of prayer and peace.
Let us love one another, build up the Body, and strengthen the faithful as we proclaim joyfully:
Christ is Coming — Glory to His Name!
With every blessing this Advent,
✠ The Rev. Dr. Stephen M. K. Brunswick
St. Andrew’s OCC / Priory of Salem, Institute of Theology
www.CelticOrthodoxy.co
