On 30 November 2025, we begin a new Church year. The new Church year begins with the season of Advent, and the readings are taken from Year A.
Advent consists of four weeks in which we prepare spiritually for the Christmas season, commemorating the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
In the Catholic Church, the Advent season reminds us about the importance of Christ in our lives, prepares us to celebrate Christ’s birth at Christmas, and refers to his second coming at a future time. Catholics consider all three comings when they celebrate Advent. “In the first coming, Christ was our redemption; in the last, he will appear as our life; in this middle coming, he is our rest and consolation.” (St Bernard 1090-1153).
Traditionally, Catholics will focus more on prayer and an element of fasting through the period. Priests will wear purple vestments during this time, and it is traditional to have an Advent wreath as well.
The Four Candles
The Advent wreath consists of four candles, which are arranged in a circular pattern, surrounded by evergreen branches symbolising eternity and arranged in a circle symbolising no beginning and no ending. Each candle corresponds to the four respective Sundays through Advent. Three of the candles will be purple (or blue) in colour, and the other one will be pink. The purple (or blue) candles represent penitence and hope, while the pink candle refers to the third Sunday of Advent, which is known as Gaudete Sunday. This is meant to encourage participants to continue praying as Advent is soon to reach its conclusion.[1]
Advent – Week by Week
Each week during Advent has a specific meaning and relevance.
In the first week, Catholics will light the first candle. This signifies hope as it is commonly known as the “Prophet’s candle” and signals that Jesus is coming.
On the second Sunday, a candle is lit to celebrate faith. This is based on the everlasting love of God, and it is also commonly referred to as the “Bethlehem” candle. This reminds everyone that Mary and Joseph undertook the journey to Bethlehem.
On the third Sunday of Advent, it is traditional to celebrate joy with the “Shepherds” candle. This third Sunday is also called Gaudete Sunday, and a literal translation here is to “rejoice”. It is a Sunday to remember Mary as the mother of Jesus.
On the fourth Sunday, the candle symbolises peace and is known as the “Angels” candle. The simple message here from the angels is “peace on earth and goodwill towards all people”.
The Church evokes the coming of Christ in all its aspects – past, present and future, and so the season of Advent recalls the coming on earth of the incarnate Word, deepens our awareness of Christ’s presence in the Church every day, and heightens our hope and longing for his return.
The incarnation is the beginning of a process which is not yet finished. Christ will return in glory to crown his work of salvation. It is a promise.
Saint Mary MacKillop’s life was like Advent in that she always lived with an attitude of preparation, waiting on God’s will, and hope in eternity.
The 2024 Advent prayer of the Sisters seems appropriate to finish with:
God, ever present yet always expected
Attune our hearts to the signs of your coming
And our minds to the unfolding of your promise
As we journey through this Advent time.
Amen.
Mary Murphy rsj
[1] The Season of Advent in the Catholic Church, Learn Religions, obtained from www.learnreligions.com/season-of-advent-catholic-church-542458