The season of Advent (from the Latin adventus meaning “coming”) is a time to prepare for the coming of Christ. We anticipate three advents: the first is the historical coming of the Christ two thousand years ago; the second, the coming of Christ among us now; and the third advent, the hope of Christ coming again at the end of time.
Advent always begins four Sundays before Christmas. This year, it lands in early December, shortening our Advent season by an entire week.
One of the best-known customs of the season is the Advent wreath. The circle of evergreens symbolizes the eternal character of God’s time and Christ’s reach into our time to lead us to the light of everlasting life. The four candles on the wreath—three violet, one rose—mark our progress through the season. The rose candle is for the Third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete Sunday after the first word of the entrance antiphon on that day, meaning “rejoice.” The day symbolizes our joy as we draw closer to the birth of Christ. Bless your Advent wreath with the lighting of the first violet candle, and as a prayerful entrance into Advent invoke today’s psalm response: “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved” (Psalm 80:4). We have included a blessing prayer for you to use below.
Send a picture and any special details about your household Advent Wreath to communications@sjbrh.org.
Our parish community will be marking the days through Advent with a variety of prayer opportunities, devotions, and celebrations. You can learn about them below. All are invited to join the journey. We wish you every joy and blessing this Advent Season.
Lisa M. Orchen, M.Div.
Communications Coordinator
Lisa M. Orchen. © 2023 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. Scripture quotations are from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, CCD. All rights reserved.
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