Catholic Apostolate Center

This is a selection of Center Advent resources. Please click one of the buttons below for additional Advent resources.

“Beloved, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent. This is the time eagerly awaited by the patriarchs and prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced to see. This is the season that the church has always celebrated with special solemnity. We too should always observe it with faith and love, offering praise and ​thanksgiving ​to the Father for the mercy and love he has shown us in this mystery.”
- St. Charles Borromeo

An Introduction to Advent: A Season of Active Waiting

An Introduction to Advent: A Season of Active Waiting (Printable) - This document is for anyone who wants to use a weekly printable reflection on the weeks of Advent as well as an understanding of the liturgical importance of the season. Follow along to the reflections of each week's theme, as well as questions for reflection utilizing the Scriptures.  

Advent Activities for Youth and Young Adults

Advent Resources for Youth and Young Adults (Printable) - This document for teachers and formators of youth and young adults provides lessons and suggestions for age appropriate materials this Advent season. Additionally, there are references to materials and suggestions on best practices for educators of the faith to use to promote the religious elements of the Advent Season.

Center Podcasts

Podcasts

ASL Translation of On Mission: Advent

SonRise Morning Interviews

Advent: the "Little Lent" 

Christmas is the "most wonderful time of the year”: trees are trimmed, presents wrapped, and the chilly air signals the coming season of festive warmth. But did you know we're not really ready for Christmas without first observing a "little Lent?" This webinar looks at ways to “deck the halls” of our hearts - and prepare our bodies and our homes - for the birth of Christ by preparing for Him in the season of Advent.

By Ann Koshute, professor at St. Joseph's College of Maine
Click here for Ad Infinitum Advent Blog Posts

​Advent Traditions and Meanings

​Advent Reflection Guides from Catholic Volunteer Network and Catholic Apostolate Center

A Brief History of Advent

The season of Advent developed in the Church over time. Here are 10 facts that you may not know about the roots and meanings of Advent.
​1. ADVENT IS A TIME OF EXPECTATION AND PREPARATION FOR THE BIRTH OF THE LORD.
  • The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus or coming
2. ADVENT HAS A CHANGING START DATE.
  • It starts on the Sunday closest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (November 30th). It can begin as early as November 27th or as late as December 3rd.
3. ADVENT MARKS THE BEGINNING OF THE LITURGICAL YEAR.
  • Advent was chosen to begin the year as representative of the time in history that Christ was not known to us. With his birth the beginning of our faith was founded. The liturgical year ends with the feast of Christ the King, his reign over the Universe.
4.  THE ADVENT SEASON HAS TWO MEANINGS.
  • It emphasizes both the celebration of Christ coming into the world as a man and also the second coming when the Lord will return again.
5. HOPE IS A PREDOMINANT THEME OF ADVENT.
  • The Israelites hoped for a Messiah to come, and Christ entered the World.
  • We are hopeful for the arrival of Christ again into the world.
6.  ADVENT IS A REMINDER OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROMISES OF THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH.
  • The Advent tradition of the Jesse Tree consists of symbols of the Messiah coming from the line of Jesse (Lk 3: 23-38). Isaiah is often read during this season to remember that we are waiting for the day when the Messiah will come again. ​
7. ADVENT FOCUSES ON LIGHT AS OPPOSED TO DARKNESS.
  • Christ enters our dark world and casts away the darkness of sin to redeem us. He will come again as the light of the world.
8. ADVENT HAS TWO PARTS.
  • The first portion the First Sunday of Advent until December 16th is preparation for the second coming of Christ.
  • The second portion from December 17th to 24th directly prepares us for the commemoration of the first coming of Christ - Christmas.
9. THE ORIGINS OF ADVENT CAN BE TRACED BACK TO THE CHURCH IN FRANCE.
  • In the 4th Century, the church in France used the period before Epiphany as a time of preparation for Baptism. It was called "St. Martin's Lent" for the 40 days that started on November 11th, feast of St. Martin of Tours.
10.  ADVENT AS WE KNOW TODAY WAS DEVELOPED IN ROME.
  • Pope Gregory I in the late 6th/early 7th Century composed many of the prayers, antiphons, and psalm responses. Many themes and ideas we now know can be traced to the Roman Advent Season.

Symbols and Customs of Advent

Many people know the popular symbols and customs of Advent, such as the Advent wreath, but do you know their meanings and why we have them? Below is a list of some well known Advent symbols and the meanings behind them.
​
1. The Advent wreath is one of the best known symbols of Advent.
  • Traditionally made of evergreen branches formed into a circle with 4 candles held within. 
  • The evergreen circle is a symbol of eternal life.
  • Green from the evergreen is considered a symbol of hope.
  • Started as a domestic tradition that entered into churches in the twentieth century.
2. Advent Candles are usually comprised of three purple candles with one rose or pink.
  • The candles recall the weeks that pass until Christmas.
  • Purple candles symbolize waiting, also penitential but not in the same way as Lent.
  • Rose or Pink is used on the third Sunday of Advent to symbolize rejoicing, since the Third Sunday of Advent  is referred to as Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday.
  • They are lit, light used as a symbol of Christ being the light of the World coming through the darkness.
  • Sometimes a white candle is placed in the middle, people use when lit as the representation of Christ entering the world.
3. The Jesse Tree is named for Jesse the father of King David whose line can be traced to St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus.
  • Used as a symbol to explain the Old Testament generational connection between Adam, Abraham and Jesus as explained in Gospels Matthew and Luke.
  • Popular symbols represent people of the Old Testament including King David as a crown and Noah as a boat.
4.  An Advent house or Advent calendar show the passing of the days of the season.
  • Popular with children, they serve as a way to provide activities and reflections on the season to draw them deeper into the faith. December 24th is usually a scene of the Nativity.
  • Used as a visual tool of preparation and patiently waiting for Christ to come into our lives.
5. The Giving Tree is a variation of the Jesse Tree that became popular in the late 20th century.  
  • The custom has communities decorate a tree with tags indicating gifts for children in need at Christmas.
  • Intended to remind Christians of the teaching of Jesus “what you do to the least of these, you do to me” (Mt. 25:40)
6.  Nativity scene or Creche is used to commemorate the humble birth of Christ.
  • Created by St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th Century to emphasize the humility of the Savior of the World coming as a poor child.
  • There are many different designs and themes used, including stone or wax figurines, as well as human and animal actors.
  • In some locations a variation is included that has the manger empty until Christmas Eve as a celebration of Christ’s arrival as a child.
  • Culturally, certain countries will change the look of the Creche, including more towers, houses, mountains, than what was traditionally used during the 13th Century.

​Do you want to hear more about these topics? 

Our team sat down to talk about them! Listen below. ​
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