1st Sunday of Advent, Year B



        We derive the word “Advent” from the Latin word for coming, “adventus.” If we ever use words in the Church that you don’t know the meaning to, you’ll probably find the answer in Latin!

        Today we embark on the “adventure” of the liturgical season of Advent. We get to light a candle each week, three purple and one pink, all the way up to the Sunday before Christmas. Maybe we have a special devotional to work through, or an Advent calendar to mark the days. But what does it all really mean? Why is Advent different from any other season or celebration of the year?

        When we were baptized, we entered into the life of Jesus Christ and became sons and daughters of God. Through prayer and participation in the Sacraments, we grow ever closer to the Blessed Trinity, Who now dwells intimately in our soul. The mystery of Christ’s life on earth, from His Incarnation to His Ascension, encompasses all of time. Thus, in our union with Him, we are always living our Advent. We are always awaiting His arrival. Furthermore, we are always living our Lent, preparing for Christ’s Death and Resurrection. Finally, we are always celebrating His Birth, His Resurrection, and His Ascension. These mysteries are always present to and within us, if we just quiet our souls and turn our hearts to God.

        Jesus opens up the wonders of His life to us, in all its entirety. This is how we grow closer to Him, and in acknowledging this gift, we are able to realize just how much He has given us. Advent is a time to especially focus on the mystery of Jesus’ Birth. This is a time for us to ponder the immensity of this reality, that Jesus, the SON OF GOD, took on our flesh.

        So while we are always experiencing the mysteries of Christ’s life by virtue of our baptism, the Church celebrates these seasons (like Advent and Lent) to especially call to mind each particular mystery, and enter more deeply into it.

        Lastly, let’s take a brief look at these candles we light. Particularly, the first candle, which we light today. There’s more than meets the eye here!

        Each candle represents a different virtue: hope, joy, peace, and love. As we light a new one each week, we symbolically portray the light that Jesus’ Birth brings into our dark world.

        Today, we light the candle symbolizing hope:

“Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger
than our whole world.” – C.S. Lewis

        It is only fitting that the first candle on the Advent wreath represents Hope – the first Sunday of Advent not only leads us to anticipate the birth of Christ but celebrate the beginning of a new liturgical season as well. The first candle is purple, the primary color of Advent and a color symbolizing royalty. Sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle,” the first candle harkens us back to Isaiah’s foretelling of the birth of Christ and all of the promises God gave us in the Old Testament that would be fulfilled by the birth of Jesus. This Advent, light the first candle on Sunday, December 3, 2023.

        If you can carve out some time, try to spend a few moments of reflection on the meaning of Advent and the virtue of hope.

God bless you and have a blessed Advent!!

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