THE ADVENT SEASON – What exactly is it?
Advent is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin term “adventus” which means “arrival” or “coming”, particularly the arrival of something or someone of great significance. This is the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas.
The 1st Sunday of Advent, and also the beginning of the new Liturgical year (Year B). The advent wreath is a popular symbol of the Advent season. It is usually made up of evergreen branches or boughs placed in a circle, and topped with four candles.
We use the Advent wreath as a way to prayerfully reflect the passage of the Advent season. On the first Sunday of Advent, the wreath is blessed and one candle is lit (usually a purple candle). Every Sunday, for the next 3 weeks, another candle is lit until all four candles are burning brightly.
Traditionally, the candles are purple and pink to match the colours of the liturgical vestments worn by the priest or bishop at Mass. However, in some countries, red, purple or white candles are used. In Catholic churches in Madeira, and here in our Chapel, we like to light a purple candle at the beginning of Mass on the first 2 Sundays of Advent, and priests wear purple vestments.
On the 3rd Sunday of Advent it is a bit different, with priests wearing rose-coloured (pink) vestments, and instead of a purple candle, a pink candle will be lit. On the 4th Sunday of Advent a purple candle is lit.
