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Season of Advent and Christmas:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” John 3:16
With the season of Advent, begins a new liturgical calendar in the Church where we celebrate the first four Sundays as the season of Advent – a period of preparation in anticipation for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Advent Season is followed by the Christmas Season which begins from the eve of Christmas to the Baptism of the Lord.
There are many traditions followed during Advent season around the world. Praying the St. Andrews Christmas Novena which begins on the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) and the lighting of the Advent wreath of evergreens containing four candles are some of the most popular traditions followed in Christian homes.
The Advent wreath has four candles – 3 purple and 1 pink/white that are lit every day during this season during the family prayers, when relevant passages from the Bible are read. The purple candles symbolise the prayer, penance and preparatory sacrifices undertaken by the faithful. The pink /white candle is lit during the third week from the third Sunday called the Gaudete Sunday meaning Sunday of rejoicing. It represents the period when the preparation is almost complete and the birth of Christ is very close. By the daily lighting of the candles, the faithful share in the long expectation and hope that surrounded Our Lord’s first coming. It also renews our desire to prepare ourselves as we await longing in hope for His second coming.
The color of Advent is mostly purple as it is also a period of observing penances to purify our hearts as we prepare to receive the Lord on Christmas day. We are called to be reconciled to God and to one another. There can be no reconciliation without the forgiveness of sins. Let us make a sincere effort to ponder on our past, seek pardon from the Lord for our sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) and make reparation for any hurt we may have caused our brethren.
The festivities and traditions associated with Christmas helps us to relive the anticipation and joy at the birth of Christ. However, only when Christ is born in our hearts will the mystery of Christmas be truly fulfilled in us. For this we need to become humble and little as our Savior. May God give us the grace to become 'little' this Christmas and may this season of Advent and Christmas bring lots of joy, hope, love and peace into our hearts and homes.