Advent and Christmas Seasons
Images courtesy of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the nativity scene above is from the Christmas special "Christmas Eve from the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, San Francisco". The Christmas special will be showing on ABC-TV stations around the country, check your local listing.
Advent Advent (ad-venio in Latin or "to come to") begins the Church year and consists of the four Sundays before Christmas. The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. Advent devotions remind us of the meaning of the season. Special Advent Devotions: the lighting of the Advent wreath each Sunday during Advent; the Advent calendar helps remind us of the season with daily thoughts and activities; Advent prayers prepare us spiritually for the birth of Jesus Christ.
Advent Wreath The Advent wreath is the most common symbol of Advent. Each piece of the Advent wreath symbolizes some part of our preparations of Jesus' birth on Christmas day. The circular shape symbolizes eternal life; the purple advent candles symbolize our waiting or repentance; the pink advent candle symbolizes our joy of Christmas; the light from the lit advent candles symbolize Jesus as "The Light of the World."
Advent Prayers Advent prayers call to mind our preparation for the Lord's coming on Christmas and His second coming at the end of the world. The Advent theme of preparing one spiritually requires special Advent prayers focused on waiting, watching, and hoping for the Lord's coming. Many Advent prayer books include daily prayers, while others involve the writings of popular Catholics including Pope John Paul II or Fulton Sheen. Other prayers are meant specifically to be said along with an Advent wreath. † Advent prayer resources from USCCB Publishing
Advent Calendar The Advent Calendar is believed to have been created in the early 19th century to mark the days of Advent leading up to Christmas. Advent calendars of today usually count down the 24 days of December ending on Christmas Eve. Popular amongst children Advent calendars are a joyful activity that helps children learn about preparing for Jesus' birth. Some Advent calendars have doors to open that reveal some symbol of Advent or Christmas, while others have symbols that are individually placed on the calendar for each day.