Living Advent Through Silence

Perhaps you are searching among the branches
for what only appears in the roots.
— Rumi

We have grown up immersed in liquid societies, accustomed to constant physical, mental, visual, and auditory motion. This frantic pace shapes us into less authentic people, living on the surface of life. Yet deep within, we recognize a longing for moments of solitude and stillness… to pause.

Paradoxically, when we finally achieve it, just a few minutes pass before we pick up the phone or get caught up in a flood of thoughts. Our hearts and minds struggle to remain calm because, while in motion, we can avoid facing what we do not accept in ourselves, which emerges in silence.

To embark on this experience, we must remain still… yes, still. That difficult task of being “unproductive” for a moment and humbly confronting the inner chaos that arises. Only then does calm arrive. Those who are out of touch with themselves will be dictated to by external forces. So, it’s worth asking: do I create spaces for silence and stillness in my life? How do I feel when I am silent?

Advent is a privileged time of silence and preparation for the birth of Jesus. To cultivate spaces of silence during this season, we can take inspiration from a few examples.

The first is the desert—a place of sobriety that allows us to become aware of life’s uncertainties beyond our control. John the Baptist began his mission by the Jordan River after living through the desert experience. Advent invites us to reflect on the heavy burden of excess that tires our journey. Sobriety and silence slow us down to focus on what is essential. By freeing ourselves from the superfluous, we discover a deep joy that springs within us.

Let us look to Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary. They offer a lesson in the art of saying little and doing much. They teach us that silence is not merely the absence of distractions but also the contemplation of God’s work in our lives. Mary accompanied Jesus at every stage, faithfully treasuring all these memories in her heart (Lk 2:5). Being present for another, like two friends walking together in silence or someone caring for the sick, shows that love and silence are interconnected.

Advent also invites us to truly be and remain present in the lives of others without succumbing to the temptation of dissolving into the vain frenzy around us. Have you asked yourself: how and for whom are you spending your life?

Finally, the Book of Wisdom reminds us that God is born in silence: “While gentle silence enveloped everything, and night was in the middle of its swift course, your all-powerful Word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne” (Wis 18:14). It is there, in silence, that the most profound encounter between God and humankind occurs. This birth fills us with hope, joy, and strength, propelling us toward new life.

Silence, more than the absence of sound, is a place of encounter that stops, orders, restores, and creates us. It brings us back to what is essential. Following the example of Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary, let us prepare to receive God, who desires to be born into our lives.