What is advent and is it worth celebrating?

The word Advent in Latin means “coming” or “arrival.”

It is a period before Christmas, which is all about acknowledging Jesus Christ’s first coming and preparing for His return.

This year, it began on Sunday, December 3rd and will last for the four weeks leading to Christmas.

How is it celebrated?

During this period, some people fast in order to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, Christmas.

Catholics are expected to fast and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the first two weeks in particular.

The third and last weeks are for celebrating in anticipation of Christmas.

Purple is usually used during this period in the Catholic church as it symbolises penitence, fasting and royalty to welcome the King.

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Is it worth celebrating?

Yes, it is. In order to really appreciate the significance of Christmas and the promise of His return, we need to take the time to prepare our hearts and minds for it.

Like we do with Lent before Easter Sunday, Advent makes us pause and truly await the beautiful celebration that is Christmas.

Pope Francis explains the importance of celebrating this season better in his homily on Sunday, December 10, 2017.

He says, “When we await at home a visit from a loved one, we prepare everything with care and happiness. In the same way, we want to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord: to wait for him every day with solicitude, to be filled with his grace when he comes."

“We are called to be more attentive to the needs of others, those closest (to us). Like John the Baptist, in this way, we can open roads of hope in the desert of the dry hearts of many people.

“The Savior we are waiting for is able to transform our lives with the power of the Holy Spirit, with the power of love. Indeed, the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts the love of God, an inexhaustible source of purification, of new life and freedom.”

Advert offers everyone the opportunity to really appreciate the gift that Christmas brings which is why it is definitely worth marking.

P.S: Catholics are not the only ones that celebrate this season. Other churches like Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists and Presbyterian also mark this period.