A preface is an introduction to a book or story that tells the readers something about what they are going to experience in the upcoming text. The Preface at Mass is the introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer. It begins with a dialogue between priest and people in which people are urged to lift up their hearts in praise and thanksgiving to God. Next is a standard beginning in which we are told that giving God thanks is always “right and just,” and in fact, it is “our duty and our salvation.”
The next part tells us something about God and extols God’s actions often in light of where we are in the liturgical year. The Preface ends with us joining all of heaven in acclaiming the song called the Holy.
There are two Prefaces for Advent. Preface I is used from the beginning of the season until Dec 16. Preface II is used from Dec 17 until the Masses of Christmas Eve. Spend some time in prayer with the texts below from the Advent Prefaces. What words, phrases, or images strike you as you pray these prayers? What do they tell you about this season of the Church year, and what do they tell you about your relationship with God?
Preface I of Advent:
“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.”
Preface II of Advent:
“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.”