Dec 12 2006
Advent: A Time of Preperation
The second sunday of Advent started this Sunday. Advent may start anytime after Novemebr 30 and there will alwys be 4 Sundays in Advent before Christmas Day. This year it started on December 3rd.
Advent and Lent are special times in the Catholic Calendar. While Lent marks the Crucifiction and Death of Jesus and culminates in His Resurrection, Advent is the time for preparing for the Birth of Jesus. It is considered the beginning of the Church year. The joyful getting ready for Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is the main theme but the time also needs to include a penitential spirit. During Advent, the priest wears purple or violet to signify the same penitential spirit.
Catholic families may have some or all of the following Christmas Traditions. The ones we follow are
Manger Scene
The tradition of having a nativity scene was made popular by St. Francis of Assisi. It is a reproduction of the cave in Bethlehem where Jesus was born and ususally includes Mary, Joseph, the infant Jesus in a manger, shepherds, angels, and animals. We also include the Magi.
Christmas Tree
The use of the Christmas tree is relatively modern. Its origins are found in the medieval mystery plays which depicted the tree of paradise and the Christmas light or candle which symbolized Christ, the Light of the world.
We keep up our Christmas tree until the solemnity of Epiphany.
Traditions I hope to start, maybe next year…
Jesse Tree
It is a way of teaching the Old Testament background for the Messiah, and showing how all of God’s promises have been fulfilled. The Advent season is a wonderful time to reaffirm God’s faithfulness. Using a Jesse Tree, your family can learn the Old Testament background for the New Testament story of the birth of Christ. We do not follow this tradition. Maybe when the children are bigger, we can start this tradition.
Advent Wreath
The Advent Wreath is usually made of a circle of evergreen branches. Four Candles are inserted in the wreath. Three of the candles are violet and the fourth is either rose/white. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday as it is color of anticipation and symbolizes the Christmas joy. I want to include this in our family tradition next year. This year I thought of it too late.
Advent Calendar
A personal calendar can be made for the four weeks before Christmas. On the calendar, a person can mark the Advent Calendar with personal goals of preparation or acts of service to be done for others.
