Happy New Year!

Each year on the first Sunday of Advent, the Church begins a new Liturgical Year.  

Advent is the liturgical season of preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas and anticipation of His Second Coming. Its history reaches back many centuries.

Traditionally, Advent has two main focuses:

1. Preparation for the Nativity: remembering and celebrating Christ’s first coming in Bethlehem.

2. Readiness for Christ’s Second Coming: reflecting on Christ’s return at the end of time.

This dual emphasis is reflected in the readings and prayers of the Advent liturgy.

Symbols and Practices

Over time, various symbolic traditions developed:

• Advent wreath (originating in Germany in the Middle Ages), with four candles representing hope, peace, joy, and love.

• Advent calendars (19th-century German tradition) used to count down the days to Christmas.

• O Antiphons (dating back at least to the 8th century), chanted from December 17–23.

Today, Advent remains a season of:

• Waiting

• Preparation

• Hope

• Renewal

Its tone balances penitential elements (purple vestments, focus on conversion) with a growing sense of anticipatory joy as Christmas approaches.

For more information about ​Advent and its traditions, click one of the links below:

• Hallow - Advent Candles and Wreaths
• USCCB - What is Advent?
• Dynamic Catholic - All About Advent
• Advent Ideas for Catholic Families
• NCEA - Advent Resources