The Season of Advent

What Really is Advent?

Advent officially starts 4 Sundays before Christmas and ends on December 24th. The first day of Advent starts the beginning of the Catholic Liturgical year. For 2020, Year A begins on December 1st. This is a time of growth and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. It is an amazing season full of excitement. Each week brings a new focus and a deeper renewal. The Catholic Church is amazing at providing us with a chance to slow down and regroup. I always think of Advent and Lent like the Sit, Stand, Kneel of Mass. It draws you back to the Mass. Even if you nod off in the Homily (not recommended), we quickly rise for the Profession of Faith. The Church guides you, it encourages you to focus because we feel the change. Advent is a time of reflection, a time to examine who we are, what we are doing and where God fits in our lives.

The Advent Wreath

One of the first questions a Baptist friend asked me today was why is there a pink candle and if we lit the last candle the week before Christmas. Hopefully this next section explains what the Advent Wreath represents and why there is one pink candle.

The Advent Wreath is usually formed in the shape of a circle. It is traditionally made of evergreen branches. We like to use the ones cut off our Christmas tree but I am really in love with this beautiful stone wreath from Catholic Supply Company. I am just saying its on Amazon too. The circle itself represents the unending love that Jesus has for us.

The first candle we light is the Candle of Hope. It is lit on the first day of Advent and focuses our mind and prayers on the hope of the season. The we look forward to the coming of Jesus with hope in our hearts. The Candle of Hope is purple in color. Purple is the color of pennance, preparation and sacrifice in the Catholic Church. We see purple in the Church again during the Season of Lent.

The second candle we light is also purple and is the Candle of Peace. The second week of Advent is a chance to really reflect on how you want to get to the better portion of yourself. How can each of us better prepare the way for the Lord? What can we change and improve to be the best version of ourselves?

The third candle is the pink candle. This is the Candle of Joy. Pink symbolizes the excitement and joy and anticipation of the coming of Jesus. It always seems this week of Advent is filled with Christmas parties (work and friends). It isn't so close to Christmas to be when people are traveling but it isn't so far away that people aren't festive yet.

The final candle is lit on the last Sunday before Christmas and is the final purple candle. The Candle of Love truly represents the endless love God has for each of us and the love we share with out family and friends. It is a time to truly reflect on how we love the Lord in our everyday lives and how we show love to ones around us. Did you show love by offering your seat to someone older than you? Did you show love by offering to help carry something for someone with their hands full? Did you show love to the ones who are hurting? Even if they asked for it in unloving ways?

Advent Calendars

Much to my children's dismay, Advent Calendars aren't just about the chocolate (or for the adults, the wine or beer or cheese...yea Aldi's I am lookin' at you). Each day is a chance to stop and think about the coming of Jesus. It is a chance to get excited as we see the date get closer but it is also forces us to stop and prepare our hearts. I tell my students all the time, that if they don't pay attention and they don't study, they can't expect to do well on the test. The same is true for Christmas. If we don't stop and pay attention and prepare for Christmas, we can't expect to reap the true rewards of the Holy Day.

Our Favorite Advent Season Traditions

On Decemeber 6th, we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Nicholas. The kids each get fruit, a piece of chocolate candy and a gold dollar in their shoe.
We buy a real Christmas tree and decorate it as a family each year. While listening to Christmas music and occasionally watching Die Hard because my husband thinks that since the action happens during a Christmas party, that qualifies it as a Christmas movie. *Insert biggest eye-roll ever*
The kids each have a chocolate advent calendar from Grandma and Grandpa and a homemade calendar that I refill every year with a puzzle, chocolate and a coin. Each day the kids open a box and find a piece of a 24 piece puzzle. By Christmas they have each completed their puzzle and have added 24 Quarters to their piggy bank and loads of chocolate to their bellies.
A special treat this year is the addition of the 24 Chapter of Luke Challenge that I am doing with two of my close friends. We are each reading a chapter of Luke each day so on December 25th, we will have fresh in our minds the story of Christmas. Please feel free to join us as we take on this journey and follow along each day. I have posted a link to a digital Bible and am posting my thoughts along the way.

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