Advent – our liturgical “Happy New Year”

During the season of Advent (from Latin adventus, “a coming”), we are prayerfully and joyfully awaiting the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Advent also marks the beginning of a new liturgical year for the Church. These weeks allow us to focus on deepening our prayer life, both individually and as a family and, hopefully, inspire us to strengthen traditions centered around preparing ourselves and our homes for a new year with Christ.
 

Balancing Jesus and Santa— Creating Christ-centered traditions

 
Sometimes even before the first frost has hit outside, retailers are resplendent with Christmas decorations. Creating faith-filled traditions within our families, as well as our communities, helps to keep the focus on the meaning of the Advent and Christmas.
 
Advent wreath
 
The traditional Advent wreath is perhaps one of the most popular and recognizable traditions. A wreath can be as simple as placing four candles near each other and surrounding them with some sort of greenery. The circle of the greenery making the wreath symbolizes the eternity of God and the immortality of the soul. The variety of greenery traditionally making up a wreath each also convey symbols: laurel symbolizes triumph over suffering and persecution; pine and holly symbolize immortality; and pine cones symbolize life and resurrection.
 
Each candle represents a week of Advent. The purple candles signify hope, faith and peace, while the pink candle symbolizes joy, which is reserved for the Third Sunday of Advent — otherwise known as Gaudete (Latin for joy) Sunday. Lighting the candles each day and reciting a small prayer or singing together as a family is a way to remind everyone that each day of Advent is a time of prayer and anticipation as we await the Christ child.
 
Advent Saints
Dec. 1 - St. Edward Campion
 
Dec. 3 - St. Francis Xavier
 
Dec. 4 - St. John Damascene
 
Dec. 6 - St. Nicholas
 
Dec. 7 - St. Ambrose
 
Dec. 12 - Our Lady of Guadalupe
 
Dec. 13 - St. Lucy
 
Dec. 14 - St. John of the Cross
 
O Antiphons
 
Since at least the eighth century, the O Antiphons have been sung or chanted along with the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer during the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23. Each of the seven antiphons highlights a title given to Jesus Christ and implores the Messiah to come save his people.
 
Dec. 17
 
O Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!
 
Dec. 18
 
O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!
 
Dec. 19
 
O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
 
Dec. 20
 
O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!
 
Dec. 21
 
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the
shadow of death.
 
Dec. 22
 
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
 
Dec. 23
 
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!
 
St. Nicholas
 
Celebrating the original Santa Claus is a great tradition to reinforce the Christ-centered nature of Christmas. St. Nicholas lived in a time of Christian persecution and is well known for being kicked out of the Council of Nicea for punching the heretic Arias in the face for perpetuating the heresy that Christ was not fully divine. But he was also known for being compassionate and generous. One story recounts how he anonymously provided for the dowry of three daughters when their father couldn’t. These daughters would likely have been forced into prostitution or slavery without the generosity of St. Nicholas. Some stories say he gave them the dowry by throwing a bag of coins into their window at night, which landed in a pair of socks drying by the fireplace, and then slipped away. That is why many families have their children set out their shoes on the night of Dec. 5 and fill them with chocolate coins and other gifts.
 
Las Posadas
 
Las Posadas, or “The Inns,” is a common novena celebration in Hispanic communities during the week before Christmas that commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem and their search for refuge. Its origins stretch back hundreds of years in Mexico.
 
While each group may do Posadas a little differently, a procession traditionally takes place each night from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24. The procession is made up of people dressed as angels and shepherds, all typically carrying religious images and candles. The “Holy Family” stops at houses to sing songs, read Scripture and ask for lodging. They are refused until reaching the designated house each night, where the entire procession is welcomed and a celebration is had. The Rosary is also often prayed once they reach their “Inn” for the night.
 
Some groups celebrate just one night during this time, while others do a full procession every night. The celebration usually ends with Mass. Regardless, the heart of Las Posadas is honoring the journey of the Holy Family while celebrating and strengthening community in a Christ-centered way.