‘The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shone… For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful Counsellor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’
(Isaiah 9:2-6)
While the world rushes to market Christmas only to discard it boxing day, Catholics enter into an
Advent time of preparation, reflection, hope, and anticipation of an entire season of Christmas.
Beginning with the Sunday nearest the feast of Saint Andrew, we mark our Advent Sundays with
the four candles symbolizing hope, peace, joy, and love.
The Advent candles may be set in a wreath, with its greenery and circular shape, having no beginning or end, representing God’s eternity and Christ’s offer of everlasting life.
Each candle lighting symbolizes the light of Christ coming into the world, dispelling the darkness.
Other decorations in Catholic churches are modest and subdued, in keeping with the penitential aspect of the Advent Season. This is especially true for the sanctuary, which is the sacred space reserved for the Sacrifice of the Mass.
The violet colours of the Advent Season represent penance and preparation.
We can mark our days in our homes, our domestic churches, with Advent calendars.
From December 17 to December 23, we can sing our daily ‘O Antiphons.’
In that time, we begin to set up the Nativity scene, with the Christ child placed in it on the day we
commemorate the arrival of our long-awaited Saviour, Emmanuel, ‘God with us.’
We celebrate Christ’s coming in three ways – in His Incarnation over 2,000 years ago,
in His Word and in the Sacraments of His Church presently, and in
His coming at the end of time to judge the living and the dead.
Our Advent Season is about preparing the Way of the Lord in our souls,
with holy longing to receive Him worthily, and with sanctifying hope for our eternal communion with Christ in heaven.
We have great resources for the whole family to enter into the Advent Season through our freely-accessible parish subscription to Formed (see how, here).
For the whole family, How to Advent: watch.formed.org/how-to-advent
For younger Catholics… search on Formed for:
- Making Advent great for Kids
- Marcam’s Advent & Christmas Special
- Drawing Closer to God Advent Wreath: Be the Light
- The Days of Advent with Brother Francis
For an Advent Spiritual Retreat:
Formed offers daily reflections on the beautiful Scripture of the Advent Season, and their daily readings and reflections are also available on the free Amen app.
Formed’s home screen will have great curated resources guiding you through each day of the four week Advent Season, throughout the joyful season of Christmas, and the whole Church year.