What is Advent

What is Advent?

Advent, which comes from the Latin word for "arrival" or "coming," is a period of preparation for the birth of our Lord. It is a time of joyous anticipation, but also of penance and preparation for the great Christmas feast. The liturgical color of the season is purple, a sign of penance.  The Church discourages excessive ornamentation, boisterous music and even weddings during Advent, to foster a sense of quiet hope.

Who established Advent?

Thomas J. Talley, in The Origins of the Liturgical Year (Pueblo Publishing Company), sees the beginning of an advent season in the Fourth Canon of the Council of Saragosa in 380. In 567, the Synod of Tours established a December fast. And in 581 the Council of Macon ordered an advent fast for the laity from the Feast of St. Martin (November 11) to Christmas. This took the name of St. Martin's Lent.

In the seventh and eighth centuries, lectionaries (books containing the scriptural readings for the Liturgy of the Word) provided for six Sundays in Advent.

According to the Harper Collins Encyclopedia of Catholicism, edited by Richard P. McBrien, Gregory the Great, who died in 604, was the real architect of the Roman Advent. Gregory fixed the season at four weeks and composed seasonal prayers and antiphons. Gaul (France) enriched the season with eschatological elements. And the fusion of the Roman and Gallican observances returned to Rome by the 12th century.

What is the Advent wreath?

The Advent wreath is one of our most popular Advent traditions. Its origin is in pre-Christian Germany and Scandinavia where the people gathered to celebrate the return of the sun after the winter solstice. The circular wreath made of evergreens with four candles interspersed represented the circle of the year and the life that endures through the winter. As the days grew longer, people lit candles to offer thanks to the "sun god" for the light. For us, the lighting of the Advent candles represents the promise of the coming of Jesus, the light of the world. The wreath should be in a circle, a symbol of eternity, and a reminder that God has no beginning nor end. The evergreen is a symbol of eternal life and a reminder that God is immutable or unchangeable.

Traditionally there are three purple candles and one rose candle (for the third Sunday), but blue candles can also be used. Purple reminds us to turn our hearts toward God; rose is a color of joy.

ADVENT WREATH PRAYERS

FIRST WEEK:

God of compassion, be with us in these long and dark days as we await the birth of your son, Jesus.   Amen.

SECOND WEEK :

God of salvation, help us give voice to the voiceless as we cry out in the name of your son, Jesus. Amen.

THIRD WEEK:

The joyful Sunday in Advent (known as "Gaudete") is represented by rose (or pink) instead of the penitential purple color.

God of blessings, we celebrate your good gifts and rejoice at the gift of your son, Jesus. Amen.

FOURTH WEEK:

God of wisdom, bless us with Mary’s “yes” as we welcome Emmanuel into our hearts and homes. Amen.

From: St. Anthony, Catholic Culture web site, Prepare the Way of the Lord Advent Guide (Our Sunday Visitor)