The Season of Advent

Advent has a twofold character as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s first coming to us is remembered and as a season when that remembrance directs the mind and heart to await Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. Advent is thus a period for devout and joyful expectation. (General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar, 39)

The Early Story of Advent

Advent comes from the Latin word advenio, ‘to come.’ In the West, this season made its appearance at the end of the 5th Century in Spain and Gaul. When it was adopted in Rome its duration was reduced from about six weeks to four. 

The earliest focus of Advent was preparing for the Second Coming of Christ. 

Liturgical renewal after Vatican II restored Advent as a season of preparation for the threefold coming of Christ. 

"The risen and living Christ is experienced in the reality of history (the One who was), in the mystery of word, sacrament and loving service of others (the One who is), and in the expectation of his glorious return (the One who is to come)" (1998 Sourcebook for Sundays and Seasons 1998, pg4 – 5).

To one who is, who was and who is to come, we say: Come Lord Jesus!

The Advent Season

Advent begins with the vigil of the Sunday of, or closest to, November 30 and ends on Christmas Eve.   The Sundays of this season are named the First, Second, Third and Fourth Sundays of Advent. 

The first two (to December 16) concentrate on the Second Coming of Christ, and from December 17 to Christmas Eve, the texts prepare us to celebrate the Lord’s birth. In view of this orientation therefore, it is as inappropriate to have Christmas carol festivals or the Christmas crib before December 17, as it is for the baby figure to appear in the manger before Christmas.

Celebrating the Season

We need to make our liturgy reflect our southern hemisphere Australia. While Advent has a certain starkness as a period of waiting and expectation, the violet colour of Advent should be different from the penitential purple of Lent. 

Our predominant colour in summer is blue – our skies, water and seasonal flowers, eg. agapanthus. Perhaps drape the worship space in various shades of blue and mauve. As people see this colour in their daily living they might remember it is Advent and that we are preparing for God’s coming.

While preparing the liturgies for the season of Advent a certain consistency of intention needs to be remembered.  Baby Jesus doesn't make an entrance before Christmas and carols of joy are premature.  An air of expectation is to be enveloped.  

Entrance Song

The same song could be used throughout the season choosing verses that best reflect the readings for each of the Sundays. It could grow in urgency each week by adding further harmonies or instrumental accompaniment. Don’t try to learn too many new hymns for such a brief season! Keep an annual repertoire of Advent music that is used year after year.

Response for General Intercessions

A short refrain from an Advent song could be used or make up a tune to ‘Come, Lord Jesus’ or something similar.  

Advent Wreath

The wreath has no intrinsic significance liturgically (like the tree and the crib), however, it is a subtle but effective reminder of the anticipation characteristic of the season. It must however, be visible to all without distracting our attention from word and table and of course, be decorated with living greenery.

Blessing the wreath on the First Sunday of Advent (or its Vigil) is found in the Book of Blessings, (Ch 47). 

‘The Advent wreath may be blessed by a priest, deacon or a lay minister.’   (B/Blessings p.648)

Lighting of the wreath is appropriate in the Gathering Rites. "On the Second and successive Sundays of Advent the candles are lit either before Mass begins or immediately before the opening prayer; no additional rites or prayers are used" (B/Blessings p.647).

Since the progressive lighting of the candles on the Advent wreath brings out the meaning of the season, bring out only one candle to begin and gradually add the other three each Sunday.  If coloured candles are used, three purple and one rose are common, though white ones are fine.

Candlelight Vigil

One thing parishes can do to counterbalance the premature and secular Christmas symbols and commercialism is to offer evening  prayer  on  the Sundays of Advent and maybe a weeknight candlelight Vigil with soothing chants and (Advent) carols. It should also contain some Scripture, followed by silence, then perhaps some shared reflection and some prayers of intercession. 

And so it is that Advent looks ahead to the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of time and looks back to the first coming of Jesus, who dwelt among us in history and who is with us now, as Risen Lord. Advent calls us to focus on Jesus, the very heart of our faith. Advent speaks to us of the person of Jesus, the mystery of Jesus, the message of Jesus. Advent invites us to look again at what it means to be a Christian.

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This article was originally published in ‘Liturgical Seasons’. ©  Diocese of Parramatta. 1999, 2000, 2007. Reprinted with permission.