Advent is the first season of the new liturgical year, when faithful Catholics anticipate the coming of Jesus and prepare for the celebration of his birth on Christmas day.
The word advent means “arrival” and this name of the season indicates waiting, expecting, and preparing.
The Mass readings during Advent include writings from the prophets who foretold the birth of the long-awaited Messiah and the Gospel stories of Jesus’ life on Earth.
The Advent lessons about Jesus’ first arrival remind Catholics that Jesus will also come again at the end of time and prepare them to be ready now.
The liturgical color of violet and the modest church decorations in Advent remind Catholics that their joy cannot be fully expressed until Jesus arrives. Even the music is slightly subdued and the Gloria is not sung.
Advent calendars and Advent wreaths with a candle for each Sunday count down the time until Christmas.
While there are always four Sundays of Advent, there are not necessarily four full weeks of the season when the 4th Sunday falls close to Christmas day.
Rose vestments and candles are used on the Third Sunday of Advent, which is called Gaudete Sunday because of the more joyful expectation of that particular Sunday’ readings at Mass.
A new liturgical year:
Advent in 2 minutes:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”
Luke 21: 25-28
Advent season is different than Christmas season:
Growing in strength with spiritual exercises in Lent:
Called to penance, prayer, and reflection:
The liturgy of Advent is based mainly on the texts of the Old Testament Prophets. The prophet Isaiah speaks in it nearly every day. In the history of the People of God of the Old Covenant, he was a particular “interpreter” of the promise, which this people had obtained from God a long time before in the person of the founder of the race: Abraham. Like all the other prophets, and perhaps more than them all, Isaiah strengthened in his contemporaries faith in God’s promises confirmed by the Covenant at the foot of Mount Sinai. He taught above all perseverance in waiting and faithfulness: “0 people in Zion … The Lord will cause his majestic voice to be heard for the joy of your heart”. When Christ was in the world, He referred several times to Isaiah’s words. He said clearly: “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”. The liturgy of Advent is of historical character. The expectation of the coming of the Anointed (Messiah) was a historical process. In fact, it permeated the whole history of Israel, which was chosen for the very purpose of preparing the Saviour’s coming.
Pope John Paul II, General Audience, 13 December 1978
Advent is about hope and joy:
Preparing to see God:
We’re not waiting for a baby in a manger:
When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 524
How to celebrate Advent and prepare the manger of your soul:
Understanding Advent through Jesus’ three comings:
The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of the Catholic Church
No one is too holy:
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