Joshua Bennett
Advent is a liturgical season that precedes Christmas, encompassing the four Sundays before December 25th. It is a time of penance, turning away from sin, and joyous preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe. During Advent, Catholics prepare their hearts and homes, with candles, ornaments, and other supplies, but also through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is a time to reflect on the great mystery of the Incarnation and to anticipate the return of Christ. The season is marked by the lighting of Advent candles, the reading of Scriptures, and the celebration of the Eucharist, as Catholics prepare for the Feast of the Nativity and the coming of their Saviour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Advent candles | Purple, rose |
| Vestments worn by priests | Purple |
| Number of Sundays in Advent | Four |
| Scriptures | Psalm 80, St. Bernard of Clairvaux quote, St. Andrew Christmas Novena |
| Activities | Praying, fasting, almsgiving, confession, reflection, making a Jesse tree, Advent calendar, Advent wreath, Advent accordion storybook |
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What You'll Learn
Pray and reflect daily
Advent is a time of prayer and reflection, and Catholics are encouraged to partake in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during this period. Here are some ways to pray and reflect daily during Advent:
Pray with Purpose
The Church encourages prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during Advent. By setting aside time each day for prayer, Catholics can approach the season of anticipation prayerfully and prepare their hearts to receive the Christ Child on Christmas morning. This dedicated time can be during your morning routine, at dinnertime with your family, or in the quiet of the night.
Pray with Scripture
The Scriptures are a great way to find God during Advent. The responsorial psalm for the first Sunday of Advent, taken from Psalm 80, says, "Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved." This psalm invites us to ask ourselves what it will be like to see the King of the Universe face-to-face on Judgment Day. Reflecting on such imagery, found throughout Scripture, can help us prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.
Pray with Tradition
Advent traditions such as the Advent wreath, Nativity scenes, Advent calendars, greenery, and lights all have deep meanings that can enhance our prayer life. For example, the violet or purple candles on the Advent wreath represent penance and sacrifice, while the rose candle, lit on the third Sunday, represents rejoicing at the midpoint of Advent. These visual reminders can help us to focus our prayers and reflect on the true meaning of the season.
Pray with Family
Involving your family in Advent preparations can be a wonderful way to pray and reflect daily. Whether it's creating an Advent calendar, making ornaments for a Jesse Tree, or reading and discussing the meaning of the season with your children, these activities can help you and your family pray, reflect, and welcome Jesus into your lives each day.
Pray with Devotion
Advent devotionals, such as the St. Andrew Christmas Novena, can be a wonderful way to pray and reflect daily. This novena is recited fifteen times a day from the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30) to December 24. It invites God to hear our prayers and grant our desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ and His blessed mother. Devoting time each day to such prayers can help us prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.
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Prepare your heart, not just your home
Advent is a time of preparation and conversion, a chance for transformation and a time to make room for Jesus to dwell in our hearts. It is a time to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and to recognise that Christmas is not just "the birthday of Jesus", but a celebration of his coming into our world today, here and now.
The word "Advent" comes from the Latin "adventus", meaning "coming", "approach" or "arrival". It refers to the period encompassing the four Sundays before Christmas. It is a time of penance, of turning away from sin and hopeful, joyous preparation for the coming of the Saviour.
During Advent, we prepare for the coming of Christ and his Second Coming. We seek the face of the Lord, we find him in the confessional, in the Eucharist, in the Scriptures, and in prayer. We prepare for the Feast of the Nativity, a time of reflection and anticipation. We are invited to marvel at the mystery of the Incarnation, drawing closer to God's heart and experiencing His love.
While it is fun to prepare our homes with Advent candles, Jesse Tree ornaments, and baking, it is more important to prepare our hearts. We can do this through prayer and reflection, by recognising our shortcomings and confessing them, and by partaking in the sacraments. We can also prepare by reading Scripture and reflecting on the meaning of the season.
As we prepare for Christmas, let us remember to place our spiritual preparation above all else.
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Recognise the meaning of Advent
The word "Advent" comes from the Latin "adventus", meaning "coming", \"approach\" or "arrival". It refers to the period of the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent is a time of penance, turning away from sin, and joyous preparation for the coming of the Saviour. It is a time to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christmas.
Advent is a liturgical season that calls us to prepare for the Feast of the Nativity. It is a time of reflection, pondering the great mystery of the Incarnation. God invites us to marvel at this event, drawing us closer to his heart and inviting us to know and experience his love. It is a time to recognise our shortcomings and confess them through the sacrament of penance, creating room for Jesus to dwell in our hearts.
Advent is also a time to seek the face of the Lord. We can find him in the confessional, in the Eucharist, and in the Scriptures. We can also look for Jesus each day and welcome him as he comes to us in prayer and through the people around us. We can prepare for Advent with prayer and reflection, dedicating a specific time each day for these practices.
Advent is an opportunity to contemplate the Advent of our own entering into eternity when our mortal lives come to an end. It invites us to look forward to the day when Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, will return in glory. It is a time to recognise that our actions now can have an infinite effect.
Advent is not just about preparing for Christmas, but also about preparing for the coming of Christ and his Second Coming. It is a time to make ourselves ready for "the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, judge of the living and the dead, King of the Universe". We can prepare ourselves through the conversion of heart, turning from sin to grace.
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Seek the face of the Lord
Advent is a time of preparation and conversion, a time to make oneself ready for the coming of Jesus Christ. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin "adventus", meaning "coming", "approach", or "arrival". It is a period of penance, turning away from sin, and joyous preparation for the coming of the Saviour.
During Advent, Catholics prepare for the coming of Christ by seeking the face of the Lord. This involves finding Him in the confessional, in the Eucharist, and in the Scriptures. It is a time to reflect on the great mystery of the Incarnation and to draw closer to God, experiencing His love.
One way to seek the face of the Lord during Advent is to participate in the sacraments. Catholics can do this by receiving the Eucharist, partaking in the sacrament of penance through confession, and celebrating other sacraments such as Baptism and Confirmation. These sacraments allow Catholics to encounter Christ and become part of His living Body, the Church.
Another way to seek the face of the Lord during Advent is through prayer and reflection. Catholics are encouraged to set aside dedicated time each day for prayer and reflection, whether it be during morning devotions, dinnertime with family, or in the quiet of the night. This helps to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and align one's heart with His will.
Additionally, Catholics can seek the face of the Lord by participating in Advent traditions and devotionals. This includes the use of Advent wreaths, lighting candles, creating Jesse Trees, or using Advent calendars to mark the days leading up to Christmas. These practices serve as visual reminders of the true meaning of Advent and help to focus one's heart and mind on the coming of Christ.
Finally, seeking the face of the Lord during Advent involves a conversion of the heart. It is a time to turn from sin to grace, from creatures to the Creator. By recognizing our shortcomings and confessing them, we create room for Jesus to dwell in our hearts and experience God's mercy and transformation.
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Make a list of supplies
The Advent season is a time of preparation and conversion, and it is important to prepare with the right supplies. Here is a list of supplies to help you prepare for a Catholic Advent:
Advent Wreath and Candles
A central part of Advent is the lighting of candles, with one candle lit on each of the four Sundays of Advent. The candles are usually purple, representing penance and sacrifice, with an additional rose-coloured candle lit on the third Sunday, representing rejoicing at the midpoint of Advent. You can purchase an Advent wreath, or make your own, and bless it using the blessing provided by the U.S. Catholic bishops.
Jesse Tree Ornaments
The Jesse Tree is a tree decorated with ornaments based on symbols of Old Testament events, such as an ark or rainbow to depict Noah's flood, or a ladder to represent Jacob's ladder. These ornaments can be purchased or crafted, and are a great way to involve children in the preparation for Advent.
Baking Ingredients
Baking is a wonderful way to involve the whole family in Advent preparations. You can bake treats to share with loved ones or to give as gifts. It is a chance to create special memories and carry on family traditions.
Advent Calendar
Advent calendars are a fun way to count down to Christmas, with a door opened each day to reveal a treat or activity. You can purchase these, or make your own, such as a decorative paper chain, with a link added each day.
Prayer and Scripture
Advent is a time for spiritual preparation, and it is important to set aside time for prayer and reflection. You can find Advent devotionals to guide your prayers, or use free prayer materials provided by your parish or the USCCB Advent website.
While it is good to be prepared with the right supplies, remember that how you prepare your heart is most important during Advent.
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Frequently asked questions
Advent is a liturgical season that precedes Christmas, encompassing the four Sundays before December 25th. It is a time of penance, turning away from sin, and preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe.
You can make a list of necessary supplies, such as Advent candles, Jesse Tree ornaments, or baking ingredients. You can also create an Advent calendar or a decorative paper chain with your children, adding a single link each day.
Advent is a time for prayer and reflection. You can dedicate a specific time each day for prayer, read the Scriptures, and seek the Lord in the Eucharist and the confessional. It is also a time to turn from sin to grace and prepare your heart to receive Jesus.
One candle is lit on each Sunday of Advent, with the rose candle being lit on the third Sunday (Gaudete Sunday). The violet or purple candles represent penance and sacrifice, while the rose candle represents rejoicing at the midpoint of Advent.
