Advent is the beginning of the Church Year. It begins on the fourth Sunday before
Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve.
The
word Advent comes from the Latin advenio, "to come to," and thus refers to the coming
of Christ. This refers, first of all, to our celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas,
but second, to the coming of Christ in our lives through grace and the Sacrament of
Holy Communion, and finally, to His Second Coming at the end of time.
The primary
sanctuary colour of Advent is purple. This is the color of penitence and fasting as
well as the colour of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King.
Our preparations,
therefore, should have all three comings in mind. We need to prepare our souls to
receive Christ worthily
Father Jim Brand marks this first Sunday of Advent
reminding us of how important it is to listen…