Advent

Advent begins this Sunday, December 2nd.

The first Sunday in Advent marks the beginning of the Church year and the Church calendar. The Sunday lessons (lectionary) for Holy Eucharist revolve in a three year cycle (A,B & C) which ends on Christ the King Sunday and a new cycle of readings begin with the First Sunday in Advent. These are marked by "Year A" with the Gospel readings from Matthew, "Year B" with Gospel readings from Mark, and "Year C" with Gospel readings from Luke. Last Sunday we completed Year C and this Sunday we will begin the whole three year cycle again with Year A and Matthew's Gospel.

Happy New Year!


The following article is an excerpt from the book "Catholic Customs and Traditions" by Greg Dues:

Advent
The somber theme that colors the first Sundays of Advent is a fitting continuation of the themes of Sundays immediately preceding Advent and concluding the church year. On these Sundays there is emphasis on the endtimes and the consummation of all history. First Sunday of Advent continues this emphasis. Then, on the Second and Third Sundays of Advent, John the Baptist, the Advent prophet, issues a call to penance. On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, an incarnational theme finally begins to unfold with the account of the Annunciation.

A penitential theme during Advent was more evident until recent times. A tradition of fasting continued until the [Roman Catholic] Code of Canon Law of 1917-1918. Musical instruments were discouraged during Mass, the color purple was used in vestments and decorations, the Glory to God was dropped but the Alleluia kept, and weddings were prohibited. With some modifications these traditions continue today but without a serious penitential spirit.

Some religious traditions during the month of December are directly associated with the themes of Advent. Others are already part of the celebration of Christmas but are anticipated during the weeks Advent.

Advent Wreath
Advent traditions reflect a spirit of expectation and, therefore, unfold gradually. Probably the most popular tradition today is the lighting of candles on an Advent Wreath in both churches and homes. This custom originated among Lutherans in Germany in the 16th century and quickly became popular in other areas. Along with the Christmas tree, it is probably an example of Christianizing practices popular from pre-Christian times. There had always been a festival of burning special lights and fire at the end of November and beginning of December in Germanic lands as the darkness of winter becomes more severe. This tradition continued into modern times. In the 1500s, it took on a distinct Christian symbolism as the Advent Wreath, first among Lutherans in eastern Germany and then among all German Protestants and Catholics. This tradition came to America with German immigrants. It was popularized among Catholics with the liturgical movement in the mid-1900s.

The Advent Wreath, which may be of any size, is made of evergreens and is placed on a table or suspended from the ceiling. There are four candles, one for each week of Advent. The color of the candles is not an essential factor because the symbolism is primarily in the flame. It is popular, however, that three of them be violet or purple, the traditional color of Advent. One is rose, the traditional color of the Third Sunday of Advent, originally called Gaudete ("Rejoice") Sunday from the first word of the entrance antiphon for Mass.

After the wreath is blessed on the first Sunday of Advent, a prayer is prayed and a candle lit. This ceremony repeats on each of the following three Sundays. Light increases, pushing out darkness, with another candle lit until all four are burning.

Wreaths have always been symbolic of victory and glory. The basic symbolism of the Advent Wreath goes beyond this. It lies in the tension between darkness and light. It represents the long time when people lived in spiritual darkness, waiting for the coming of the Messiah, the light of the world. Each year in Advent people wait once again in darkness for the coming of the Lord, his historical coming in the mystery of Bethlehem, his final coming at the end of time, and his coming in every moment of grace.

Advent Colors
The traditional color of Advent is purple or violet. It symbolizes a penitential spirit that has been associated with this season. Liturgists and other church leaders have begun clarifying the theme of Advent, emphasizing that it has its own distinct theme and is not a "little Lent." Some liturgists have promoted a new, or renewed, Advent color: a dark blue. While at first a little shocking to parishioners, this color has foundation in the evolution of Advent. In northern European countries and England there was a tradition to use for Advent a shade of violet different from that used for Lent. It tended more toward dark blue because of the kind of dye used. This color seems proper also because of the role of Mary in the mystery of the Christmas event.

Traditionally on the third Sunday of Advent, rose-colored vestments have been used. This color anticipates and is symbolic of the Christmas joy announced in the first word of the Entrance Antiphon: "Rejoice" (Latin, Gaudete).