Advent and Christmas Advent marks the beginning of
Advent and Christmas
Advent marks the beginning of the Church year. It is when we remember God’s promise to send a Messiah. It begins four Sundays before December 25 th. The word advent means “coming”. During Advent and Christmas Jesus is referred to as Emmanuel which means “with us is God”.
Two Themes to the Advent Season Advent is a time to prepare for the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas). Advent is also a time to reflect and prepare for Christ’s second coming at the end of time.
The Liturgical Color of Advent Violet/purple is used for royalty. Violet/Purple is used to symbolize the coming of Christ our King and as we prepare for the coming of God’s Kingdom. Violet/purple is considered the liturgical color of advent symbolizing peace, hope and love, but rose/pink is used in the third Sunday of Advent to symbolize joy for the coming of Jesus.
Symbols of Advent The Advent Wreath represents a custom that Christians have followed for centuries. The circle of the wreath represents all the years the people waited for the Messiah. The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. The candles remind us we are preparing for Jesus, the Light of the World. The white candle in the center is the “Christ Candle”
The Jesse Tree
The Jesse Tree is another symbol of Advent. It is named for the father of King David. It uses symbols to tell the story of God’s wonderful promise and its fulfillment. It is sometimes called the “family tree” of Jesus.
Symbols of the Jesse Tree The symbols recall stories of the Bible about the Messiah or the people who helped prepare the way for Him. These symbols are represented as ornaments on the Jesse Tree.
Some of the Most Commonly Used Symbols Creation Beginning of God’s love for humankind Adam and Eve Their sin brought the promise of Jesus, The Redeemer. All who follow Jesus will be Noah saved. Jesus, God’s only son, was Abraham and Isaac willing to sacrifice himself.
More Symbols Moses Jesus brings the new law. David Jesus, the Messiah, is born from his family line. John the Baptist He prepared the way for Jesus and baptized Jesus himself. Mary The Mother of God. Joseph Foster father of Jesus and husband protector of Mary.
Christmas The Christmas season begins with the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve and ends on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Christmas, because of its importance, extends for a period of eight days called the Octave of Christmas.
The Octave of Christmas December 25 th – Christmas. December 26 th – The Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian Martyr. December 27 th – The Feast of St. John, apostle and evangelist. December 28 th – The Feast of Holy Innocents. This is when we remember those children who lost their lives near the time of Jesus’ birth.
The Octave continued… December 29, 30, 31 st – Days within the octave. January 1 st – The eighth day after Christmas, is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
The Christmas Season After the Octave The Feast of the Epiphany, traditionally January 6 th , is celebrated on the Sunday between January 2 nd and January 8 th. On this feast we celebrate that God revealed his Son to all the nations, shown through the visit from the wise men or Magi that came to pay homage to Jesus. The Sunday following this is the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord which ends the Christmas Season.
Liturgical Color of Christmas White and gold are used to show joy during this season.
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