Advent: A time when God breaks in on us.

The spirituality of Advent calls us to meditate on the Advent of Christ’s second coming, on the Advent of Christ’s physical birth and the Advent of his coming into our own lives.

Sunday, November 28 marks the first Sunday of Advent, the first season of the new liturgical year.  During the four weeks of Advent we will see that the liturgical color is blue or violet, and that the Gloria is not sung (this year it is replaced with the Kyrie)  Also, prior to the processional hymn each week,  a candle on the Advent wreath will be lit by a different family.

The Book of Occasional Celebrations tells us that the Advent wreath marks the passage of the weeks of the season of Advent and was originally devised to encourage family observance of Advent.  The lighting of one, two,three, then four candles is a reminder that we await Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.  To wait for Jesus is to be ready to meet him in all the ways he comes.  It is important for Christians to observe Advent not just as a preparation for Christmas but also in realization that Christ’s coming Kingdom stands in judgement over the injustices of our present world.