The season of Advent is a time of hope, of joyful expectation of Jesus. A time of a new “beginning”! The word “advent” comes from the Latin “adventus”, meaning “coming”, but also “expectation”. It is the period during which we prepare in watchful expectation for the coming of Christ, for the memorial remembrance of his birth, which we will celebrate on Christmas Eve, renewing each day our spiritual attentiveness to the wonder of welcoming the Infant Jesus among us. But it is also the time that directs us toward Christ’s second coming, when at the end of time he will come to judge the living and the dead, ushering us into his kingdom, which will never end. Pope Francis stated in the Angelus on December 1: «During these four weeks of Advent, the liturgy leads us to celebrate the birth of Jesus, while reminding us that He comes every day into our lives, and will return gloriously at the end of time. This certainty prompts us to look to the future with confidence, as the prophet Isaiah invites us to do, for with his inspired voice he accompanies us throughout the journey of Advent». Thus, the first part of Advent invites us to awaken our expectation of Christ’s glorious return; then, as Christmas draws near, the second part of Advent points to the mystery of the Incarnation and calls us to welcome the Word made flesh for the salvation of all.
The new liturgical year
With the first Sunday of Advent, the new liturgical year begins, in which the Church remembers and lives what her Lord has done for her, enabling all the faithful to encounter him existentially, him who died and rose again. This celebratory action of the Church is essentially the celebration of the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ, a mystery so profound and rich that we cannot immediately and completely understand and live it; it is therefore, so to speak, divided into portions over time so that we can savor and assimilate its various aspects and dimensions. Hence the different liturgical seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time.
The sequence of liturgical years follows a three-year cycle for Sundays; in each year, a different Gospel is read during the Eucharistic celebration: in Year A, the Gospel of Matthew is read; in Year B, the Gospel of Mark; in Year C, the Gospel of Luke. This year, with the first Sunday of Advent, Year B begins, in which we will read the Gospel of Mark. The evangelist will help us understand who this Jesus is who lives in our hearts and what he desires from each of us in the concrete circumstances of our lives.
In this liturgical year, we are invited to become increasingly aware each day of the wonders God works among us, making the History of Salvation that God accomplished in Christ through the Holy Spirit present in the here and now that belongs to us.
The liturgy
The season of Advent begins four weeks before Christmas, with the Vespers of the first Sunday, and ends with Christmas Vespers. During Advent, priests wear purple liturgical vestments (insert purple chasuble); on the third Sunday of Advent (that is, Gaudete Sunday), rose may optionally be used to represent the joy of Christ’s coming. The “Gloria” is no longer recited until the Christmas Midnight Mass, where it becomes a symbol of the triumph of the newborn Jesus.
As mentioned, the readings at Mass follow Year B. Until the third Sunday of Advent, the liturgy focuses on awaiting the Lord’s return. Then it focuses more specifically on the expectation and birth of Jesus. Thus, on the first Sunday of Advent, the Gospel (Mark 13:33-37) centers on Christ’s words: «Watch: you do not know when the master of the house will return». On the second Sunday of Advent, the Gospel (Mark 1:1-8) dwells on the Baptism and on John the Baptist’s words at the Jordan River: «After me comes one who is mightier than I: I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the straps of his sandals». On the third Sunday of Advent, the Gospel (John 1:6-8, 19-28) again centers on the Baptist, who «came as a witness to testify to the light» and who, questioned by the Jews, says: «Among you stands one whom you do not know». Finally, the Gospel of the last Sunday of Advent (Luke 1:26-38) is that of the Annunciation and centers on the figure of the Madonna.
Mary’s season par excellence
The undisputed protagonist of this season of Advent is the Virgin herself, symbol of all humanity, ready to welcome the newborn Jesus. She joyfully and humbly accepted becoming Jesus’ mother, making herself an instrument of the Father for the birth of the Son. Pope Francis emphasized that «Mary is the “way” that God himself prepared to come into the world» and is «the one who made possible the incarnation of the Son of God, “the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages” (Romans 16:25)» through «her humble and courageous “yes”». The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception appropriately falls within this season of expectation; it is celebrated as a radical preparation for the coming of the Savior and as the joyful beginning of the Church without stain or sin. The Immaculate Conception is a deeply cherished solemnity, and in parishes the novena is recited beginning November 29. Let us live this important moment together with all believers and turn our gaze toward the Immaculate One, she who was conceived by the Triune God from all eternity and prepared to become a worthy dwelling place for the Word of God.
The Advent wreath
The Advent wreath is a widely used symbol because it summarizes the journey of awaiting the coming Lord and expresses the joy of going to meet him. The wreath is made of a circle of evergreen branches, inside which four candles are placed, signifying the four weeks of Advent. The wreath’s circular shape points to eternity. The candles are the liturgical colors: purple for the first two Sundays and the fourth, while rose is used for the third. The light of the candles represents the victory of light over darkness, and they respectively represent hope, peace, joy and love. Their progressive lighting may take place at the beginning of Holy Mass, after the homily or at another suitable time, provided that it harmonizes with the entire celebration. The wreath may be placed either in church, near the altar or ambo, or in one’s home. Set on a table, it can become the center around which the whole family gathers for an evening moment of prayer, daily or weekly. In our liturgical-pastoral calendar, you can find a short rite for blessing the Advent wreath, which can be used both in parishes and in families.
Advent for children
The season of Advent is the right opportunity to help children reflect on the profound meaning of Christmas, without its more consumerist dimension, allowing them to relive the wonderful story of Jesus’ birth through books, films and crafts. Each day, a child can also prepare a small gift or drawing to give to someone, or be encouraged to give away a toy in good condition, helping them understand that Christmas is the feast of gifts because Jesus is God’s gift.
A very meaningful moment can be the preparation of a small nativity scene in our homes, as a joyful means of passing on the faith. Pope Francis says: «I hope that this practice will never be abandoned; indeed, I hope that, wherever it has fallen into disuse, it can be rediscovered and revitalized». In the letter Admirabile signum, the Pope explains the meaning of the nativity scene and its various figures. Drawing on this document, we can explain to children the importance and meaning of the nativity scene. They can learn what the different figurines represent: the shepherds, the angels, the Magi, the Star of Bethlehem, the stable… Creating the nativity scene together is a moment of sharing in which everyone does something particular; it is a moment when the whole family comes together to give due importance to the Lord who is coming.
Prayer
Advent is a time of fervent, intimate and loving prayer. The two novenas have particular importance: the one to the Immaculate Conception, which we have already mentioned, and the one in preparation for Holy Christmas, which begins on December 16 and ends on the 24th, Christmas Eve. Let us prepare with hearts full of joy for the birth of Jesus so that, together with the angels, we can exclaim on Christmas night: «Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people whom he loves».
This liturgical season preceding Christmas can be enriched in parishes through the celebration of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. This type of prayer is the most important after Holy Mass, but unfortunately it is little known: why not take advantage of this season to propose it to laypeople?
Advent is the period that commemorates God’s coming among us. In it, we are once again given the experience of the closeness of the One who created the world, guides history and has cared for us, reaching the height of his condescension by becoming human. The great and fascinating mystery of God with us, indeed of God becoming one of us, is supremely present in the Eucharist. Let us set aside moments to remain in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, rediscovering each day that He is alive, present for us, the Savior of the world.
May the Virgin Mary accompany us on this Advent journey, awakening in each of our hearts the desire for a new “beginning” of a Christian life richer in faith, hope, joy and love.
