December 01, 2004
What is Advent?
Although Catholics automatically understand the Advent season (they have lived it since their birth), non-Catholics are unlikely to understand exactly what Advent means or is. Advent is more than just a time of year, it is an anticipation of Christ Himself.
The word Advent is from the Greek for “coming” and is used to describe the four weeks preceding Christmas. There are always 4 Sundays in Advent, which begins typically on the last Sunday of November (this Sunday also represents the first day of a new Liturgical year). Advent is similar to Lent in that we are spiritually preparing for the coming of God; in this case, for His coming as the Christ Child. During this time Scriptural readings during Mass focus on Christ and our anticipation of His coming, both at the end of the season on Christmas Day and at the end of time.
So how do we prepare for Christ’s coming? Typically in several ways.
Personal Focus
Our focus shifts directly to the Holy Family, specifically on the coming of the Christ Child. When we pray we pay special attention to the birth and life of Christ as well as the purity of the Holy Family. In addition, this is the Year of the Eucharist, so extra focus will be made on the Eucharist and it’s role during our preparation for the coming of God.
During the preparation, Catholics go to confession and put special focus on personal holiness, so that we might be ready for Christ’s coming. Families include special practices that are meant to keep our eye on the goal: Christ Jesus.
Advent Wreath
The Advent Wreath is probably something most people have seen. Traditionally, it’s an evergreen wreath that sits on a table with four candles coming out of it – three purple and one pink. Each night candles are lit (one the first week, two the second, etc.), a reading is read, and prayers are said for the coming of Christ as well as for our families and the world during this holy time of year. The last week before Christmas, the pink candle, which represents our joy in God’s coming, is lit along with the purple candles.
There are many sets of potential readings that can be used; for example, my parish offers a booklet of Advent Wreath prayers every year that we use. For those with a family, the Advent Wreath is a perfect way to keep your family focused on God during a very materialistic time of year. The Wreath forces us to stop each day and spend time in preparation, which is the point of the Advent season.
The Jesse Tree
The Jesse Tree is another way to focus on Christ. It involves slowly creating a tree representing Christ’s lineage over four weeks time. It can be done using the literal family tree of Christ or by using spiritual “relatives” that prefigured some aspect of the Christian mystery. The Jesse Tree prepares us by focusing on the time before Christ’s arrival, so that the birth of Christ can better be understood. Personally, I’ve never done the Jesse Tree (I am a convert), but I plan on using it as my children get older.
The Nativity Scene
Typically, Catholics call this a “crčche,” but it is exactly what you’re thinking of. I prefer not including the baby Jesus in the Nativity scene until Christmas day – we leave it up through January 12th. Again, this is simply a visible reminder that this is Advent and we should be focusing on the birth of Christ.
Interestingly enough, the Nativity is one of the customs still practiced by many non-Catholics. In fact, this is the one time during the year that even Fundamentalists have a statue of Mary in their homes!
Conclusion
Advent is a time of preparation. By focusing on the coming of Christ, we can’t help but prepare our souls a little more for His final coming. During this time we pray, we help the poor, and we work on the state of our lives. I invite all Christians to prepare with us for the coming of God.
God bless,
Jay
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