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The Season of Advent
Advent is a time of waiting, conversion and of hope (V):
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waiting in memory of the first, humble coming of the Lord in our mortal flesh; supplication for his final, glorious coming as Lord of History and universal Judge;
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conversion, to which the Liturgy at this time often refers quoting the prophets, especially John the Baptist, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 3,2);
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joyful hope that the salvation already accomplished by Christ (cf. Rm 8, 24-25) and the reality of grace in the world, will mature and reach their fullness, thereby granting us what is promised by faith, and “we shall become like him for we shall see him as he really is” (John 3,2).
The start of a new Church year, it is not a fully penitential season as Lent is, but a period of joyful expectation, observing both the first coming of Our Lord, and the consolation and hope of the second coming, when he will restore all things to Himself. Prepare the way of the Lord! The true light that gives light to every man is coming into the world.
Advent derives from the Latin adventus meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘approach’. As Christ draws nearer another candle is lit, with each candle dispelling the darkness a little more. Thus, the Advent wreath helps us to spiritually contemplate the great drama of salvation history that surrounds the birth of God Incarnate who comes to redeem the human race. Violet is the color of royalty. During Advent we welcome our King.
The Liturgy frequently celebrates the Blessed Virgin Mary in an exemplary way during the season of Advent. It recalls the women of the Old Testament who prefigured and prophesied her mission; it exalts her faith and the humility with which she promptly and totally submitted to God’s plan of salvation; it highlights her presence in the events of grace preceding the birth of the Saviour. It is impossible to celebrate the Lord’s birth except in an atmosphere of sobriety and joyous simplicity and of concern for the poor and imarginated. (Good deeds and generosity have always been an important part of preparation for Christmas. Advent is a great time to practice spiritual and corporeal acts of mercy.) The expectation of the Lord’s birth makes us sensitive to the value of life and the duties to respect and defend it from conception. We intuitively understand that it is not possible coherently to celebrate the birth of him “who saves his people from their sins” without some effort to overcome sin in one’s own life, while waiting vigilantly for Him who will return at the end of time.
Defining the Season’s Dates
Advent begins with the first evening prayer of the Sunday falling on or closest to 30 November (between November 27th and December 3rd) and ends before evening prayer I of Christmas, in the case of a Sunday Christmas, the first Evening Prayer is said on the evening of the preceding day, Saturday.
The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath is a tradition coming from the Lutherans in the 19th century in Germany,