Advent: A Journey of Anticipation
Advent is a time of preparation for the arrival of our Savior. (The word advent itself means coming) Associated with personal reflections on the birth of Christ, Advent often is considered merely a symbolic period of waiting. Yet, in the Book of Matthew, Christ directly reminds us of His second coming: “So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Advent, therefore, carries a twofold purpose, as explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “For by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for this second coming.”
Today, in a society that moves at such a fast pace, there is a tendency to lump Advent and Christmas together when, in fact, they are two distinct liturgical seasons in our Catholic Faith.
While Christmas includes the Birth of Our Lord, the Feast of the Holy Family, the Epiphany, and the Baptism of Our Lord, the Advent season shouldn’t be overlooked, as it contains many rich traditions and feast days of its own, including the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother (a holy day of obligation) on December 8th and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th.
Advent is the season of anticipation of the mystery of the incarnation, and is a time for spiritual renewal and preparation. Yet for many of us, Advent is filled by one long pre-Christmas “to do” list: choosing, buying, and wrapping gifts; getting Christmas cards to the post office in time and planning your family Christmas dinner.
Once Christmas Day arrives, many of us are glad, not because Advent is over and we are finally able to joyously celebrate Christ’s arrival, but because we’re so relieved that all the stress and work of the Christmas holidays is finally over!
So how can we change the way we experience Advent? There are many ways in which we can fully participate in this beautiful season:
- Start Advent traditions in your home, like lighting an Advent Wreath and discussing weekly readings.
- Take food to those who are hungry, blankets to those who are cold, toys to children who have nothing to play with.
- Attend a communal penance service.
- Since Advent is the beginning of our liturgical year, it is also the perfect time to make your New Year’s resolutions instead of waiting for January 1st.
- An Advent wreath as a centerpiece, and displaying an Advent calendar in your home, are both wonderful traditions to share with your children.
Throughout Advent, let us commit ourselves to spending time in prayerful expectation, so that when Christmas Day arrives, we will be able to fully welcome Christ into our homes and hold Him in our hearts.
(Reprinted from the Parish newsletter - December Issue)
Advent and Christmas Seasons, resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
