Advent: A time of reflection, preparation for the birth of Jesus

Throughout the fourth and fifth centuries, the season of Advent was known as a season of preparation for the Epiphany of Our Lord, the celebration of God becoming human through his son, Jesus Christ.
 
“Advent is the season that asks us to ponder ‘all these things’ in our heart. The season of Mary’s ‘yes;’ Joseph’s dreams; John’s cries in the wilderness. The season we ponder what it means that Christ came into this world as an obscure child and will return to judge all things,” said Father James Goins, pastor of Saint Thomas More University Parish in Norman.
 
The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word Adventus, which translates to “coming.” In the 6 ^th century, the season of Advent briefly was correlated with the second coming of Jesus, Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan River and his first miracle at the wedding at Cana. Some Christian denominations still observe Advent as preparation for the second coming of Jesus.
 
There is no exact date recorded that marks when Advent was first celebrated as the first coming of Jesus.
 
“I heard in a homily that you are preparing your house for a guest. That guest is Jesus. I thought that analogy was a great way to illustrate our preparing for the Christmas season,” said Cherry Halford, a parishioner at Saint John in Edmond.
 
Today, Advent officially begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Dec. 24. It marks the beginning of the Catholic Church’s calendar year.
 
We have a shorter Advent this year (only 22 days). Christmas Eve is the fourth Monday of Advent, with Christmas falling on Tuesday. Common Advent traditions include an Advent calendar, the Advent wreath and special Advent prayers.
 
Advent calendars usually have paper doors, one for each day counting down to Christmas, and each door reveals a piece of chocolate, a toy to build, a prayer or other prize.
 
During Advent and Christmas, festively decorated evergreen wreaths hang in windows and on doors. In many homes and churches, it’s also common to see special wreaths lying on tables or ledges, adorned with four candles (usually three purple and one pink). This familiar symbol of the season is the Advent wreath.
 
Traditionally, the Advent wreath is a circle of evergreen branches. Both the evergreen branches and the circular shape symbolize the passing of time and eternal life. The shape of the wreath, with no beginning or end, reflects the complete and endless love that Jesus has for his people. During the Advent season, his coming and the promise of eternal life in heaven is eagerly anticipated.
 
As a Christian tradition, the wreath holds four Advent candles. The candles represent Jesus coming as the light in darkness. One candle is lit each Sunday until all four candles are lit. Each of the candles represents an aspect of preparation during the season of Advent.
 
The first purple candle is sometimes interpreted as the Candle of Hope. Purple is the primary color associated with Advent. Within the Catholic Church it symbolizes penance, preparation and sacrifice.
 
The second purple candle is seen as the Candle of Peace. Everyone reflects on their lives and works to become better versions of themselves in preparation for Jesus’ coming.
 
The third candle is pink, called the Candle of Joy. It symbolizes anticipation and rejoicing. During the third week of Advent, everyone is filled with joy for the near arrival of Jesus on Christmas Day.
 
The fourth candle is purple and called the Candle of Love. During this final week of Advent, there is rejoicing in the endless love that God has for everyone, which is made apparent in the birth of his son.
 
“To me, Advent means the arrival of Jesus Christ the redeemer. It also means that Christmas is near, which means spending quality time with my family and friends and sharing gifts and making many memories as well,” said Angela Franco, a parishioner at Holy Spirit in Mustang. 
 
To download an Advent calendar, prayers or to find more information about Advent, go online to www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent.
 
Miranda Renteria is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic and a sophomore intern from Cristo Rey OKC Catholic High School.


Comments on the Season of Advent
 
 “For me, Advent is a time to dwell on the beginnings of the most amazing love story: the love God has for us. Just think, God the father willed that his Son, Jesus Christ, take on human flesh so to redeem that flesh from slavery to sin. And, now, because of Christ coming in human flesh and offering himself on the cross, the gates of heaven are opened.
 
To help prepare for Advent, I think every family should have an Advent wreath at home. They should sit down for dinner every night and light that wreath. There are prayers that can be said for each week of Advent. The Season of Advent is penitential and so the Sacrament of Reconciliation should be something a family should do monthly, maybe even twice during Advent. If a family really wanted to go full-out they could resist the urge to decorate for Christmas until Dec. 24. We’ve bought into too much the commercial aspects of Christmas and Advent has been pushed aside.”
 
-- Father James Wickersham, pastor, Saint Mary, Guthrie
 
 
“When I think of Advent I think of the renewed call to vigilance and waiting in patient anticipation. I hear the scriptures and the words of the prophets calling me to keep looking, eyes wide open to see the Lord when he comes. And, sometimes he comes in disguise. He came in Jesus born as a little child among poor parents in a barn of animals. Who would have guessed? Now, he shows his face to us in the little ones of our world. He shows his face to us in the unborn child in the womb, but also in the child born into poverty and in a place that is torn by violence and war. He shows his face to us in the old man or old woman who is forgotten in the nursing home. He shows his face to us in unexpected ways and in unexpected times. We have to be awake and vigilant. We don't want to miss him when he comes.”
 
-- Fr. Timothy Luschen, pastor, Saint Charles Borromeo, OKC
 
 
“Advent for me is a time to renew my relationship with Jesus. I do this by looking at the meaning of Advent. Advent is a time when we reflect on the ‘coming’ of Jesus 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem and the ‘coming’ of him in our daily lives. It is important to remember Advent is a penitential season, which means, like Lent, we make sacrifices to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Christmas. So, we remember the three things we focus on in Lent, prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through these disciplines we open our hearts to encounters with Jesus, which, in turn, moves us to live our discipleship more profoundly. It is a time of transformation. It is time to renew our relationship with Jesus and live the life of an intentional disciple.”
 
-- Father Rusty Hewes, pastor, Holy Angels, OKC
 
 
“Advent is the season that asks us to ponder ‘all these things’ in our heart. The season of Mary’s yes; Joseph’s dreams; John’s cries in the wilderness. The season we ponder what it means that Christ came into this world as an obscure child and will return to judge all things. It is a season best kept quietly, an antidote to the empty noise of the world. Offer hushed prayers; perform unheralded acts of charity. Advent is the year’s modest maiden; the thin light on a previously bleak horizon that promises daybreak.”
 
-- Father James Goins, pastor, Saint Thomas More University Parish, Norman
 
 
“Advent, from the Latin word Adventus meaning ‘coming,’ is the time I take to prepare for the coming of Christ. It is more of a time of preparation than celebration. This is when we should do penances and purify ourselves for his arrival. Advent is supposed to be a penitential season, but unlike Lent, Advent is preparing for a joyous time. So, with this in mind, take time to purify the soul for the coming of Christ.”
 
-- Ryan Rice, parishioner, Saint Damian, Edmond
 
 
“To me, Advent means the arrival of Jesus Christ the Redeemer. It also means that Christmas is near, which means spending quality time with my family and friends and sharing gifts and making many memories as well.”
 
-- Angela Franco, parishioner, Holy Spirit, Mustang; student, Cristo Rey OKC
 
 
“At my church during Advent they did something called Matachines and they played music and dances to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe. They also have the Advent wreath and each Sunday light a candle until Christmas.”
 
-- Fatima Morales, parishioner, Saint Charles Borromeo, OKC
 
 
“For me Advent is a time leading up to Christmas and preparing for all the celebrations of Jesus.”
 
-- Serina Ortiz, parishioner, Sacred Heart, OKC
 
 
“A time of waiting and hope for when Jesus will come.”
 
-- Hannah Hicks, parishioner, Saint Charles Borromeo, OKC
 
 
“We light the advent wreath and pray a special prayer each day for the specific candle. I think about the meaning of each candle in prayer when we light them. I also fast. To me, Advent is the time to prepare my soul for Christmas, Jesus' coming to our world. I focus on thankfulness and prayer especially in this season.”
 
-- Sophia Grisales, parishioner, Saint Francis of Assisi, OKC