ADVENT

1st December 2024

Advent is a season of preparation and anticipation leading up to the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas.

The word ‘Advent’ is derived from the Latin word ‘adventus’ which means coming or arrival. The season typically lasts for four weeks. This year the first Sunday of Advent will be December 1st, and December 22nd will be the 4th Sunday of Advent.

During Advent we should engage in a time of spiritual reflection, penance and joyful expectation. Advent serves as a period of both looking back to the anticipation of the Messiah ’s birth in Bethlehem and looking forward to the second coming of Christ.

The liturgical colour for Advent is purple - symbolising penance and preparation. The altar is devoid of flowers and replaced with an Advent wreath consisting of greenery and four candles - three white and one rose coloured. The rose candle is lit on Gaudete Sunday - the third Sunday and represents joy.

The first Sunday of Advent – the first reading is Jeremiah 33:14-16,I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, second reading Thessalonians 3:12-4:2, may the Lord establish your hearts for the coming of Christ the Gospel Luke 21:25-28,34-36 Your redemption is drawing near. The first Advent candle will be lit.

On the second Sunday of Advent the first reading is from Baruch 5:1-9,God will show your splendour, the second reading is Philippians 1:3-6,8-11be pure and blameless for the day of Christ and the Gospel again from Luke 3:4,6 all flesh shall see the salvation of God. The second candle is lit.

On the third Sunday of Advent – we read Zephaniah 3:14-18a the Lord will exult over you with loud singing, the second reading is again Philippians 4:4-7 the Lord is at hand and the Gospel and we, what shall we do? Isaiah61:1[Luke 4:18]. The third candle is now lit.

The fourth Sunday of Advent - today’s first reading is Micah 5:2-5a from you shall come forth one who is to be the ruler of Israel, the second reading is from Hebrews 10:5-10 behold I have come to do your will and the Gospel is once agin from Luke1.38 why is this granted to to me that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? The fourth candle is lit.

Overall, Advent is a time for us to prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of the coming of Christ at Christmas.