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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, and was adopted by German Catholics in the early 20th century. Its use in the Catholic liturgy is less than 100 years old. There are many different adaptations of the wreath, color and number of candles and symbolism associated with it, none of which are doctrinal.
BLESSING OF THE WREATH
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Who made heaven and earth.
A Reading from the Book of Isaiah (From 9, 64)
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder. […]
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore. […]
O that you would tear open the heavens and come down,
so that the mountains would quake at your presence—
as when fire kindles brushwood
and the fire causes water to boil—
to make your name known to your adversaries,
so that the nations might tremble at your presence!
When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect,
you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
From ages past no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who gladly do right,
those who remember you in your ways.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Prayer:
Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth
when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan.
Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory
and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming.
He is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples,
He is the wisdom that teaches and guides us,
He is the Savior of every nation.
Father, let your blessing come upon us
as we light the candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light
be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.
May he come quickly and not delay.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
About the Wreath
A circle of evergreens, representing God’s eternity and our eternal life. It also symbolizes God’s complete and unending love for us. Pointy holly leaves and berries represents the crown of thorns from the Passion of Jesus and his Precious Blood; and pine cones symbolize Christ’s Resurrection.
The holly bears a berry,
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
The holly bears a prickle,
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn
The Advent Candles
The candles are Purple or Blue, with a Rose candle for Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday, as Rose is a liturgical color that is used to signify joy.
- (1) The Prophet’s Candle of Hope
- The faithful know that God sustained Israel’s hope in the coming of the Messiah by the prophets.
- (2) The Angel’s Candle of Peace
- (3) The Shepherd’s Candle of Joy
- (4) The Bethlehem Candle of Love
- Optional: (5) The Pure Light of Christ
Prayers for Lighting of The Advent Candles
for the First Week
All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever.
~AMEN.
Second Week
God of power and mercy open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
~AMEN.
Third Week
Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
~AMEN.
Fourth Week
Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
~AMEN.