Advent is a time of anticipation as we prepare for the coming of Jesus. He first came into the world in Bethlehem, greeted by shepherds and kings. Now it is our turn to welcome him as he is born again in our hearts this Christmas.
Below are the disciplines of prayer, asceticism, and fraternity that you will take up in the Advent exercise from Exodus.
With your fraternity, you’ll take part in these disciplines:
- 20 minutes of daily silent prayer; reading from Scripture and reflections on the Exodus app
- Fast and Abstain from Meat on Wednesday and Fridays
- Cold Shower Fridays and Celebrate on Sundays (don’t worry — there are only three Fridays during this Advent!)
- Examine your Day
- Make one Weekly Holy Hour
- Catch and root out cynical, sarcastic, and negative speech
- Take 3 minutes of silence, longing for the Lord’s coming
- Pray for a friend by name who needs freedom
- Be present to your family & friends at holiday gatherings
- Meet with a fraternity of men (ideal size 5-7 men) weekly
- Check-in with your Anchor (one chosen fraternity brother) daily
Like Israel, we look to Jesus’ coming with expectation, knowing that he is the Messiah who will establish the Kingdom of God on earth. This kingdom will continue to grow until Jesus’s final coming in glory.
Advent is a time to grow in our longing and expectation for the fulfillment of all things and the definitive establishment of Jesus’s reign. He is coming soon, and we must be ready to greet him.
The Advent exercise from Exodus starts on December 3rd. Download the app today to get ready.
Dr. Staudt holds a Ph.D. in systematic theology from Ave Maria University and B.A. and M.A. in Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN). He serves as Director of Content for Exodus and as Visiting Associate Professor at the Augustine Institute in Denver. He was previously the Associate Superintendent for the Archdiocese of Denver. He has founded a Catholic school and served as a DRE in two parishes and as Director of Catholic Studies at the University of Mary. He is the author of How the Eucharist Can Save Civilization (TAN), Restoring Humanity: Essays on the Evangelization of Culture (Divine Providence Press) and The Beer Option: Brewing a Catholic Culture Yesterday & Today (Angelico Press). His editing experience includes six years as the managing editor of the journal Nova et Vetera and the books Renewing Catholic Schools: How to Regain a Catholic Vision in a Secular Age (Catholic Education Press) and The University and the Church: Don J. Briel’s Essays on Education (Cluny Media).
