The Season of Advent

Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year. While it expresses the deep longing of all humanity for God, it celebrates the three-fold coming of the Lord: remembering the events that surrounded the Lord’s coming long ago, celebrating his coming among us today, and looking forward to his final coming in glory.

Advent is a season of devout and joyful expectation. Its four Sundays (with its actual length determined by the weekday of Christmas) highlight our desire and longing for peace, justice and unity.

The first part of Advent looks forward to the parousia, the Lord’s glorious return at the end of time and reflects on his presence among us today.

The second part is a direct preparation for Christmas the yearly commemoration of Jesus’ coming among us in human flesh.

Although the length of Advent once extended back to November 11 and was generally celebrated as a season of penance (St. Martin’s Lent). Its character today is expressed in terms of anticipation, longing and incompleteness. Enlivened and united in the Spirit, we journey through Advent toward the consummation of human history and prepare for the Christmas feast. Advent is a period of quiet and moderation; a time inspired by anticipation rather than penance; a season that acknowledges our incompleteness.

Aspects of the Season

Violet vestments. Rather than penance, the use of violet in Advent reflects longing and anticipation. Some parishes use a blue-toned purple (the royal purple) to express the season. Blue vestments are not used in Canada. Rose vestments may be used on the third (Gaudete) Sunday to signal the mid-point of the season.

The Glory to God is not sung and the organ and other musical instruments are used in moderation, not as a sign of penance, but to allow us to anticipate the full joy of the 25th. These will be taken up again at Christmas.  Flowers too may be used, but in moderation so as to leave a sense of abundance for the Nativity.

Alleluia continues to be sung in the Gospel Acclamation and in other songs. This is the clearest indication that Advent is a season of expectation rather than of penance.

Advent Wreath.  Although originally used in home prayer, the wreath has found a place in the Advent decoration of the church building. Its evergreen circle and four candles reflect the passage of the Advent season. It is often blessed at the beginning of Mass on the First Sunday.

Reconciliation. Although not a season of penance, reconciliation (through penance services and personal celebration of the sacrament)  finds a special place in the season. The sacrament is celebrated as we prepare a welcome for the Lord and seek to approach his coming with hearts free of sin and filled with praise.

Waiting. Advent is a time of longing and waiting for the Lord to come.  Premature decoration of the church building and early use of Christmas songs at liturgy compromise the spirit of expectation.