The liturgical calendar being observed and celebrated by the Church is the fruit of the continuous development of the history of the Church. It is divided into the following seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter Triduum, Easter, and Ordinary Time.
The Advent Season is the beginning of the liturgical calendar of the Church. It starts on the Sunday nearest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle on November 30, and is composed of four Sundays. It ends before Christmas day.
The word ‘advent’ comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ which means ‘arrival.’ The Advent season is divided into two parts. The first is from the beginning of Advent to December 16, with the second coming of Christ at the end of time is the subject of meditation. This is in order to increase our longing for it. The second part is from December 17 to December 24 when Christians commemorate and prepare for the Birth of our Lord.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says about Advent: “When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor's birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: "He must increase, but I must decrease." (CCC524)
The Season of Advent is also the season when the Church celebrates the coming of Christ today in the celebration of liturgy and the sacraments.
Thus, in the liturgy of the Advent Season, we remember, celebrate, and long for the three comings of Christ into our lives: His first coming at His birth, His return at the end of time, and his coming in every liturgy and sacrament His Church celebrates.
We know that every arrival demands necessary preparations. If we can prepare for the coming of a visitor to our house, should we not prepare even more for the coming of our Lord in every moment of our lives?
The Advent Season is the beginning of the liturgical calendar of the Church. It starts on the Sunday nearest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle on November 30, and is composed of four Sundays. It ends before Christmas day.
The word ‘advent’ comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ which means ‘arrival.’ The Advent season is divided into two parts. The first is from the beginning of Advent to December 16, with the second coming of Christ at the end of time is the subject of meditation. This is in order to increase our longing for it. The second part is from December 17 to December 24 when Christians commemorate and prepare for the Birth of our Lord.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says about Advent: “When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor's birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: "He must increase, but I must decrease." (CCC524)
The Season of Advent is also the season when the Church celebrates the coming of Christ today in the celebration of liturgy and the sacraments.
Thus, in the liturgy of the Advent Season, we remember, celebrate, and long for the three comings of Christ into our lives: His first coming at His birth, His return at the end of time, and his coming in every liturgy and sacrament His Church celebrates.
We know that every arrival demands necessary preparations. If we can prepare for the coming of a visitor to our house, should we not prepare even more for the coming of our Lord in every moment of our lives?
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