Before we even reach Christmas, we first step into the Advent season. Unfortunately, we got caught up with our Christmas list, not knowing the significance of this season. In this week’s 5 Points, we discuss more what Advent is all about.
1. Advent is a period beginning with the Sunday nearest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (30 November) and embracing four Sundays. The first Sunday may be as early as 27 November, and then Advent has twenty-eight days, or as late as 3 December, giving the season only twenty-one days.
2. The word Advent comes from the Latin advenio, "to come to," and thus refers to the coming of Christ. This refers to the following:
a. our celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas
c. and to His Second Coming at the end of time.
3. During season of Advent, also known as a "little Lent", the following can be observed as signs of the penitential nature of Advent:
a. The traditional color of Advent is purple or violet which symbolizes the penitential spirit.
b. If the church normally has flowers or plants near the altar, those have been removed.
c. The Gloria ("Glory to God in the highest"), one of the most festive hymns of the Mass--is not sung.
d. The Advent wreath is placed in a visible place very near the altar.
4. The Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches where five candles are typically arranged: three purple candles, one pink candle and a white candle in the middle. As a whole, these candles represent the coming of the light of Christ into the world.
a. On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. This candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
b. Each week on Sunday, an additional candle is lit. On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents love. Some traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's manger.
c. On the third Sunday of Advent the pink, or rose-colored candle is lit. This pink candle is customarily called the "Shepherds Candle" and it represents joy.
d. The fourth and last purple candle, oftentimes called the "Angels Candle," represents peace and is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent.
e. On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is traditionally lit. This candle is called the "Christ Candle" and represents the life of Christ that has come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. Also, those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.
5. Although the traditional color of Advent is purple, the priest will likely wear rose vestments on the third Sunday of Advent. This is known as Gaudete Sunday, because "Gaudete" ("Rejoice") is the first word of the entrance antiphon at that Mass. The rose vestments is worn because it is a color that still reminds of the penitential purple, but also has a lightness and joy to it, more of a reminder that Christmas is drawing near.
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