“Advent invites us to a commitment to vigilance, looking beyond ourselves, expanding our mind and heart in order to open ourselves up to the needs of people, of brothers and sisters, and to the desire for a new world.” -Pope Francis
What is Advent?
Advent is the start of the liturgical year, in a sense, it is New Year’s for Catholics. This year our readings center around Cycle B and focuses on the Gospel of Mark. We had Matthew last year, and in 2025, Cycle C Luke’s Gos- pel will be prominent. (John’s gospel figures prominently at the end of Lent and in the Easter season.) Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas, not the arrival of a child, but expecting Our Lord to enter our lives in a new and powerful way. If you listen to the readings during Advent they speak with an immediate and breathless urgency. Now is the time! Now is the day of Salvation! And it is so true in 2023. Usually Advent is about four weeks, but this year we will celebrate the shortest possi- ble Advent with the Fourth Sunday of Advent on Christ- mas Eve. (Lots of Masses those two days!) This year I am trying something different. Instead of having a Pen- ance Service, we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation the week before Christmas. On Decem- ber 19, 20 and 21 the priest will be in the confessional at two times: after 8:15 Mass in the morning and at 7 pm at night. Prepare for Christmas by coming to Reconciliation and celebrating the forgiveness of a God who loved the world so much that He sent His Son.
Why purple during Advent?
Purple was originally associated with royalty because purple dye was so expensive. It was called Tyrian Pur- ple made from the secretions of sea snails and therefore, very pricey. In the Acts of the Apostles there was a wom- an, Lydia of Thyatira, the first documented convert in Europe who was a “woman of purple” a dealer in purple goods. Her and her whole household was converted, which seems to suggest that she was in charge and wealthy, probably a widow. Purple as a liturgical color was not widely used until the mid 1500’s. It has become a symbol of preparation, penance and sacrifice.
What is an Advent Wreath?
The Germans are probably responsible for the tradition of Advent wreaths. It is a circular evergreen wreath with four (possibly five) candles. Traditionally three are pur- ple and one is pink or rose, although all the candles may be white. They are lit according to which week of Advent we are in. (Hint: the first candle lit should be the one opposite the pink candle, so that it goes purple, purple, pink, purple.) One of the stories I’ve heard about the Advent Wreath is that it was made from a wheel taken off of a cart. The idea was to slow down life a bit and spend some time in preparation for Christmas. Of course, we do the exact opposite in our culture and ramp up our ac- tivity in the month of December. Maybe having an Ad- vent Wreath in your home (easy to buy at Catholic Sup-
ply) might serve as a reminder to try to slow things down and remember what this season is really all about
What is Gaudate Sunday?
The pink candle is lit during the third week of Advent often referred to as Gaudate Sunday. Gaudate is the Latin word for “rejoice.” In the entrance antiphon for that day we pray:
Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. Rejoice in the Lord always, I say it again rejoice! The third Sunday means that we are over half way through Advent and we need a joyous pick me up. The rose color re- mind us that even in the midst of preparation and penance, we need a joyful heart. There is great human psy- chology here. Whenever we are in the midst of some- thing, something that may be draining and exhausting, it is always good to remember what we are all about and to celebrate a bit.
Advent Calendars (for every taste)
I remember as a little boy getting excited for the count- down to Christmas. We had the Advent Novena (nine days before Christmas). The novena on Christmas Eve was the go-to event for the Schmittgens family and after- wards we would open up gifts. (We were told that we were Santa’s first stop. Don’t be jealous.) Nowadays there are Advent Calendars of all kinds where you would open up a date and find a goodie inside. Normally they are filled with candy or chocolate. All of this, hopefully, stands as a reminder of the impending coming of our Lord in a new way.
If any of you have any Advent traditions, drop me a line and share them.
For your information: Masses for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 24th) will be at the regular Sunday Mass times (5 pm Saturday, 7:30, 9 and 11 am on Sun- day). Masses for Christmas will be 4 pm (note that this is an HOUR earlier than last year) and 10 pm on Christ- mas Eve. Masses on Christmas Day will be 8 am and 10 am.
Have a GREAT ADVENT!!
Father Kevin