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 The Season of Advent |
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| The word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. The Lord is coming. We may reflect that every year at this time we celebrate his coming, so that in a sense we can lose the feeling of expectancy and joyful anticipation, because at the end of the season, everything seems to return to pretty much the same routine. If that is the case, then our preparation may have been lacking and we have therefore been robbed of much of the true meaning of this season. During Advent we recall the history of God's people and reflect on how the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament were fulfilled. This gives us a backgroud for the present. Today we can reflect on the past track record of God and begin to understand what it means to us now for the sake of what is to come, in our own future and that of our world. © Liguori Publications This liturgical season begins the Church year. It includes the four weeks opening on the Sunday after the solemnity of Christ the King. It is a time of preparation for the Feast of the Nativity and is observed with some fasting, prayers, and meditation to dispose all to welcome Christ. The time was observed in the Church as early as the fourth century; it is mentioned in A.D. 380 at the Council of Saragossa. The season, although penitential, is not without a spirit of joy, hope and anticipation. On the third Sunday, known as Gaudete Sunday, a special note of joy is introduced into the liturgy, indicating the assurance of everyone in the redemption of mankind by Christ. The Sundays of Advent take precedence over all solemnities and feasts of the Lord (as do those of Lent and the Easter season) in the modern liturgical calendar, which went into effect Dec. 1, 1974. © Catholic Encyclopedia - 1990 |
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Catholic & Christian Advent Links |
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