Concept in Definition ABC
Miscellanea / / July 04, 2021
By Javier Navarro, in Mar. 2016
The season of Advent is the first period of the Christian liturgical year and consists of a stage of preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. As for its duration, it is variable, between 21 and 28 days, since it is celebrated during the four Sundays closest to the Christmas holiday. From the point of view of believers in the Christian faith, it is considered a time of reflection and forgiveness.
The Advent period has, in a strict sense, a double purpose: the preparation of Christmas in which the first coming of the son of God to the world and, in parallel, it is a stage of preparation in the lives of the faithful awaiting the second coming of Jesus Christ at the end of the time.
During Advent it is customary to place in churches and in some homes a pine branch wreath called an Advent wreath along with four candles, one for each Sunday. According to traditionEach of the four candles is assigned some kind of Christian virtue that must be enhanced during the Advent season. The most common is that a candle symbolizes the
love, another the peace, another the tolerance and one last faith.Time for hope
Advent is also a time that represents the hope of a future that will come with Jesus Christ, who will definitely save man. For the different Christian churches, Advent is synonymous with salvation, which is why during this period the coming of Jesus Christ is celebrated. In this stage the faithful live with intensity the virtue of hope.
Advent, Christmas, and the Epiphany make up a unitary period. As for the term, it comes from the Latin adventus, which means coming or arrival. In the church liturgy, the color that represents Advent is purple.
Awareness for believers
Advent is a period of celebration and hope, but especially it is a time of reflection for Christians. It's about taking full conscience of what the coming of Jesus Christ means for man. In this sense, we could say that Advent is an invitation so that in the heart of believers to consolidate their faith and to become aware of their condition of believer. In other words, Advent must be interpreted as a time of reflection. In fact, in the religious formation of catechesis the kids They engage in activities to prepare properly during the weeks of Advent.
Photos: iStock - GoneWithTheWindStock / cesaria1
Advent themes