01/12/2025
𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡 || 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧?
The Church’s New Year’s Day is the first Sunday of Advent. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, which means “coming” or “arrival.” Advent prepares everyone for the Christmas season by reminding us of the birth of Jesus.
𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗣𝗨𝗥𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗗𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗔 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧?
During Advent, we will find that the Priests wear Purple Vestments during Mass. The Priests wear Purple because it is also a time for Adults to fast and pray in preparation of Jesus' Birth and to remind us, little ones to keep in mind that Jesus is waiting to be born in our homes and our hearts.
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗪𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛?
The Advent Wreath is the widely recognize symbol of advent. The wreath is made of a circle of evergreen branches laid flat to symbolize eternal life. The circle of the wreath reminds Christian of God, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that Christian have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life.
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗙 𝟰 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗦?
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent, and one candle each Sunday. Three of the candles are purple because the color violet is a liturgical color that signifies a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice.
The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
The third candle is pink and symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepard’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy. The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent.
On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Towads menn.”
