One of the frequently overlooked prayers in the Mass is the Preface. It comes right before the Eucharistic Prayer and the Sanctus/Holy, Holy, Holy. The intent of this prayer is to tell a brief part of the story of salvation.  The gathered assembly, after hearing the wonders of God’s salvific plan, can only respond with the cry of worship, Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Hosts! In order to draw our attention to different mysteries of divine revelation, the Preface changes depending on the liturgical season. While short, Prefaces contain a lot of theology. Here are some reflections on the two Prefaces used for Advent.  

Introduction

Both Prefaces start by addressing Almighty God:

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord.

Quick note: this prayer is about thanksgiving, and remember that the Mass is addressed to God.  This opening, run-on sentence is not perfunctory or a formality. Take a moment to soak in the solemn nature of this prayer. We come not to a fellowship meal, a sermon, a concert, or entertainment event. At Mass, we approach the altar of the Lord: our omniscient, omnipotent God who created each of us from nothing. His power runs through the heights and the depths of the universe; yet He willed for us to call Him ‘Father.’ These opening lines serve to remind us that we are at Mass to worship.

French historian and novelist Henri Daniel-Rops describes the Preface in this way:

“Each of the Prefaces, in its turn, recalls what it is that has been done by Him to effect our salvation.  For the very reason that the Preface thus touches in its intention upon what is by nature ineffable, it is fitting that the angels of the heavenly court be called upon to join with us in it, and they are accordingly invoked to the greater glory of God.”  (This Is the Mass, pg. 106)

Preface 1

For he assumed at his first coming the lowliness of human flesh,
and so fulfilled the design you formed long ago,
and opened for us the way to eternal salvation,
that, when he comes again in glory and majesty
and all is at last made manifest,
we who watch for that day may inherit the great promise
in which now we dare to hope.

The first Preface speaks of the coming of Christ. That’s the etymological root of ‘Advent’, and if we stopped there, there would be ample cause for thanksgiving. We need to go further, guided by the words of this Preface. Jesus came for us: for you, for me, for every man and woman who has existed. He came to ‘open for us the way to eternal salvation.’ It can be easy during Advent to look at this coming of Jesus to the world in general; that is, in an abstract sense. Resist that temptation and take it personally!

The 'the design formed long ago’ refers to the Incarnation, but also to the covenants that God established with humanity. This also deserves some fireworks of its own. In a covenant, humanity can only offer to God what He has already given us. Think of the promises to Abraham, Israel, Moses, David… all fulfilled in Jesus. All of them crescendo throughout history to this eternal moment in the Mass: Jesus’ sacrificial offering of Himself to God the Father.  

God’s covenantal promises are a fruitful topic to bring to prayer as Christmas approaches. We bring our best efforts, all the while having our sins and weaknesses. On the Lord’s end, He gives us grace, fellowship, a share in His divine life, His holy Word, the promise of heaven, the sacraments, and ways to uplift us and heal us. God gives us everything.  

Preface 2 

For all the oracles of the prophets foretold him,
the Virgin Mother longed for him with love beyond all telling,
John the Baptist sang of his coming
and proclaimed his presence when he came.

It is by his gift that already we rejoice at the mystery of his Nativity,
so that he may find us watchful in prayer
and exultant in his praise.

The second Preface of Advent focuses on the anticipation of the Incarnation. Take a moment to remember the oracles and prophets: Samuel, relating the messianic promise to King David; Isaiah foretelling the virgin birth of Jesus and the passion of the Messiah; Micah noting Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah; Malachi prophesying the forerunner (St. John the Baptist) who would prepare the way for the Messiah. This second Preface recalls thousands of years of salvation history! And it builds on the contents in the first Advent Preface. We live in the time of the new covenant, forged on Calvary and sealed with the blood of the eternal Lamb.   Do we appreciate that? Jesus Himself gave us a gentle reminder: “Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” (Matthew 13:17)    

This preface also mentions the longing and love of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Imagine growing up, hearing the scriptures and the oracles of the prophets. And then learning they were coming true! My guess is that Mary felt a mix of excitement, profound gratitude, eagerness for what the Messiah would bring to the world—all of that on top of the consuming love that a mother has for her baby.  Now sit and wait with that for nine months.  

Concluding in Praise

All prefaces conclude with an exhortation to join our song with that of the choirs of angels. In praying the Sanctus, the Church uses the words of the Seraphim, related by Isaiah (6:3), and the chorus of the saints in heaven (Revelation 4:8). Is it not right and just, that we join the angels and saints at the point in the Mass where earth is drawn to heaven?  

When you’re next at Mass, listen closely to the prayer of the Prefaces to be drawn deeper into the mystery of our salvation.