Longing for peace and inner contemplation

For many people, Advent is associated with hectic, stress and consumption. Yet the pre-Christmas period was originally conceived differently in the Christian tradition.
Advent was a time of waiting and preparation for the arrival of the Messiah, filled with fasting, prayer and penitential exercises. Parties, public dancing and even church weddings were forbidden.

Today, the opposite of what is described is rather the case. And yet, in the pre-Christmas marathon of appointments, an underlying longing for peace and inner contemplation often flashes through. In the first year of the pandemic, the Aachen Cathedral Chapter responded to this need and “invented” a small spiritual time-out. This year, the Advent impulses will take place on Fridays – as a respite, so to speak, after work is done and before visiting the Christmas market. At 6:30 p.m. in each case, tower winders will play Advent carols in the direction of the cathedral courtyard. This will be followed by a 15-minute spiritual impulse on the theme of “Interior Views” in the cathedral, before the evening chimes begin at 7 pm.

Friday, 1 December: Barbarossa chandelier – Cathedral Chaplain Klaus Esser
Friday, 8 December: Altar (Pala d’Oro) – Cathedral Vicar Dr Peter Dückers
Friday, 15 December: Radiant Wreath Madonna – Cathedral Chaplain Msgr. Gregor Huben
Friday, 22 December: Image of Grace – Provost Rolf-Peter Cremer