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Preparing for the Season of Advent

December 3, the First Sunday of Advent, begins the new liturgical year. During Advent we travel a liturgical journey that has two features. We celebrate the "already" of the season--the birth of Jesus. We also look forward to the "not yet" of the season--the Second Coming of the Lord in power and glory. These two elements of the "already” and the “not yet" remind us to slow down so we are sure to see the big picture. John the Baptist provides some very useful spiritual advice for entering into the spirit of Advent, "He must increase; I must decrease" (John 3:30). This is why the season of Advent requires prayer, patience, and simplicity.

Symbols of Advent
It is very easy to get caught up in the hectic even insane pace of Christmas shopping, holiday parties, Christmas cards, and holiday baking. But deep down we know there is more to Advent and the Christmas season than frenetic activity. So, we try to make an effort to keep a spiritual perspective on this holy season. During the four weeks of Advent we prepare for God’s coming among us. We get ready to celebrate Christmas in a variety of meaningful traditions.

The Liturgical Colors for Advent
The official liturgical color for Advent is purple or violet. This color reminds us to prepare for Jesus' coming. This symbolizes the darkness of sin and the royalty of Christ. On the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) the liturgical color is rose. The Latin word "Gaudete" means rejoice. We rejoice because the hope and joy of Christmas will soon be here. Again, Gaudete Sunday underscores the importance of prayer and simplicity in preparing for Christmas.

The Lectionary Readings for Advent
The Gospel readings for Year A—2007-2008 are based on the Gospel according to Matthew. The cycle of the Lectionary is three years in length, the synoptic Gospels comprise the bulk of the readings during the three-year cycle: Matthew in Year A, Mark in Year B, and Luke in Year C. During all three years readings from John’s Gospel will be proclaimed on specified feast days. All of the lectionary readings during Advent invite us to ponder the actions of God and our own actions during this holy season (click Lectionary link for more catechetical background and classroom sessions regarding Year A). As we reflect on the Matthew’s message during Year A, it is helpful to keep these spiritual lessons in mind:
• The Kingdom of Heaven is more valuable than any treasure on earth.
• Let your witness to Jesus shine to the whole world.
• Use your gifts to work for the social teachings of the Church.

Christmas Carols
Can you imagine Christmas without music? It’s practically impossible to do so because music is an integral part of Christmas. No matter the place, this is the season we hear a wide variety of Christmas carols. They range from religious to secular. The main point is that Christmas carols bring us closer to Jesus. Today Christmas CDs are available in any genre. When we listen to Christmas carols and keep the melodies alive in our hearts, we gain a deeper sense of the history and meaning of Christmas.

The tradition of carols began in Europe about 800 years ago. From a scriptural point of view, the shepherds were the first to hear of the birth of Jesus. They were usually the last to be told anything because they are out on the hills tending their flocks. Luke (see 2:1-20) is telling us that the birth of Jesus is Good News for all kinds of people—not just the wealthy and powerful. As the angels sing God’s praise, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom this favor rests.” The shepherds reverberate this message of joy “by going in haste to find Mary and Joseph and the Infant lying in the manger.”

The Advent Wreath
The Advent Wreath is an extremely popular custom that is celebrated in churches and homes all over the world. Its origin goes back to pagan times. However, the Christian tradition of the Advent wreath was introduced in Germany in the sixteenth century. The wreath is made of four candles in a circle of evergreens. Three of the candles are purple. The fourth candle is pink or rose. The purple candles express the spirit of the season: We always need Christ in our lives. The rose or pink candle represents a mood of joy that is growing stronger and stronger because we know our Savior will soon be with us. The circle symbolizes the continuous love of God, which is without beginning and without end. The evergreens represent the lasting hope of eternal happiness. The rose or pink candle is lighted on the Third Sunday of Advent-a time of rejoicing because Advent has passed the halfway point. Usually the candles are lighted before the main family meal. As Advent progresses, the lighting of candles symbolizes the growing abundance of light that comes as Christmas approaches. For that reason the lighting ceremony usually includes scripture readings, prayers, and perhaps Advent music.

The Jesse Tree
The Jesse Tree is another popular family or classroom tradition for celebrating Advent. This activity traces the ancestry of Jesus through the Old and New Testaments. It is named for Jesse, the father of King David. Its scriptural foundation comes from Isaiah 11:1, "A root shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of its roots." The Jesse Tree can be made of pasteboard or a small artificial tree. The symbols that are placed on the pasteboard or tree represent key figures in salvation history. For instance the symbols might be an apple for Adam, an Ark for Noah, a ram for Abraham and Isaac, a ladder for Jacob, a Temple for Solomon. A stalk of wheat for Ruth, some carpenter's tools for Joseph, a crown of stars for Mary, and a pair of sandals for John the Baptist. The symbols are placed on the tree each day during Advent accompanied with the corresponding scripture reading. By participating in the Jesse Tree activity, adults and children alike can learn of God's step-by-step plan for salvation.

Las Posadas
This custom traditionally takes place on the last nine evenings before Christmas (December 16 to 24). In recent times this Hispanic custom has grown in popularity across all cultures in the U.S. Posada means "inn or lodging." La Posada is a procession that traces the steps of Mary and Joseph as they seek lodging. The procession of adults and children travels throughout a neighborhood seeking a shelter for Mary and Joseph. The children can be dressed as Mary and Joseph. The adults carry candles. The procession visits a few preselected homes each night. As the procession approaches the front door of each home it asks or sings, "Do you have lodging?" The people inside the house respond by saying, go away. This is no inn." The first few home visits refuse lodging. The last home welcomes the exhausted visitors. To celebrate the joy of giving shelter to the Holy Family, there usually are snacks, soft drinks, and a piñata for the children.

What Difference Does This Make in My Life?
1. What are some of your fondest Christmas memories? What Christmas gift stands out in your memory as something special that conveys a much deeper religious reality?
2. How can every day reflect the religious meaning of Christmas?
3. What are some family traditions you use in your home to add to the religious meaning of the Christmas tree? The Nativity scene? Sending and receiving Christmas cards? Christmas stockings? Listening to favorite Christmas carols? Holiday baking?
4. As stated at the beginning of this article: Advent is a time of prayer and simplicity. Sometimes we might lose sight of the spiritual purpose of Advent because Advent occurs between two very festive holidays—Thanksgiving and Christmas. What are some Advent traditions that emphasize prayer and simplicity instead of the hectic pace of Thanksgiving and Christmas? What are some traditions that can slow down commercialism and the frenetic pace of the holiday season?
5. Some church observers speculate that the carol "Twelve Days of Christmas" comes from a time in England (1558-1829) when Catholics were not allowed to publicly practice their faith. As a result the lyrics of "Twelve Days of Christmas" have two levels of meaning--a surface meaning and a hidden meaning. The hidden meaning was a catechetical teaching device. Each verse of the carol was a code language for children to memorize. For instance, the pear tree is Jesus, two turtle doves are the Old and New Testaments, three French hens are faith, hope, and charity, four calling birds are the four Gospels, five golden rings are the Torah-the first five books of the Bible, the six geese a-laying are the six days of creation, the seven swans are the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the eight maids a-milking are the beatitudes, the nine ladies dancing are the fruits of the Holy Spirit, the ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments, the eleven pipers piping are the eleven faithful apostles, the twelve drummers drumming are the twelve statements of belief in the Apostles' Creed. What do you think of this catechetical method for teaching the faith?
6. Gregory Pierce in his book Christmas Presence (ACTA, 2002) reflects on this legend with this observation. "Christmas is about giving gifts, to be sure...but these gifts are always more than what they seem to be on the surface.... The gifts of Christmas have always stood for much deeper realities-from the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh by the three wise men to the playing of drums by the little drummer boy to the hair combs and watch fob given to each other by the married couple in the O. Henry story." What are some Christmas gifts that have more worth than dollar value?
7. A Christmas reflection: “In the most basic sense, Christmas never changes. Over the centuries, despite the many traditions we have added to this day, the central fact remains: God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, becomes human.” –Joseph Cardinal Bernardin

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Grade 1, chapter 3
Grade 2, chapters 5, 6, and 7
Grade 3, chapters 5 and 6
Grade 4, chapters 5 and 6
Grade 5, chapters 6 and 7
Grade 6, chapter 5
Junior High, Mystery of God, chapters 9 and 10
Junior High, Church and Sacraments, chapter 10
Junior High, Jesus in the New Testament, chapter 1

Connecting to Faith First®
Kindergarten, Chapter 10
Grade 1, chapter 4
Grade 2, chapters 5, 6, and 7
Grade 3, chapters 5 and 6
Grade 4, chapters 5 and 6
Grade 5, chapters 5 and 6
Grade 6, chapter 5
Junior High, Liturgy and Morality, chapter 3
Junior High, Creed and Prayer, chapter 7

Note: In addition to the above chapter references be sure to utilize the Advent material featured in the "We Celebrate" section of the Faith First® Legacy Edition textbooks and "The Church Celebrates" section of the Faith First® textbooks.